Electrical funnel: a novel broadband signal combining method

ABSTRACT

An electrical signal transformation device configured for emulation of physical, for example, optical, phenomena and/or a mathematical or logical process. The device employs a first plurality, second plurality and third plurality of electrical components each having a first terminal and a second terminal. The first plurality and second plurality of electrical components are arranged along a first direction and a second direction respectively, to form a planar two dimensional lattice. The first plurality of electrical components are configured to provide at least one of a constant signal propagation velocity and/or amplitude while the second plurality of electrical components are configured to provide at least one of a varying signal propagation velocity and/or amplitude. The lattice includes at least two input signal nodes and at least one output signal node and is configured to transform and communicate a plurality of input signals from the input node to the output node.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/720,112, filed Sep. 23, 2005,and claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 60/815,215, filed Jun. 20, 2006, thedisclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to an electronic signal transformationdevice, and in particular to an electronic signal transformation devicethat employs a two dimensional electrical lattice that provides acontrolled propagation velocity on one direction and a differentcontrolled propagation velocity profile and/or signal attenuationprofile in another direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, there has been growing interest in using silicon-basedintegrated circuits at high microwave and millimeter wave frequencies.This high level of integration offered by silicon enables numerous newtopologies and architectures for low-cost reliable SoC applications atmicrowave and millimeter wave bands, such as broadband wireless access(e.g., WiMax), vehicular radars at 24 GHz and 77 GHz, short rangecommunications at 24 GHz and 60 GHz, and ultra narrow pulse generationfor UWB radar.

Power generation and amplification is one of the major challenges atmillimeter wave frequencies. This is particularly critical in siliconintegrated circuits due to the limited transistor gain, efficiency, andbreakdown on the active side and lower quality factor of the passivecomponents due to ohmic and substrate losses.

Efficient power combining is especially beneficial in silicon where alarge number of smaller power sources and/or amplifiers can generatelarge output power levels reliably. Most of the traditional powercombining methods use either resonant circuits and are narrowband oremploy broadband, but lossy, resistive networks.

One-dimensional LC ladders have been extensively studied before. Ahomogeneous 1-D LC ladder consists of identical LC blocks repeatedmultiple times and can support wave propagation. It can also be used forbroadband delay generation and low ripple filtering. An inhomogeneouslinear 1-D line can be used to introduce controlled amounts ofdispersion to a signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We propose for the first time a new general class of two-dimensionalpassive propagation media that can be used for power combining amongother applications. These media take advantage of wave propagation in aninhomogeneous 2-D electrical lattice. Using this approach we show apower amplifier capable of generating 125 mW at 85 GHz in silicon.

In one aspect, the invention relates to an electrical signaltransformation device. The device comprises a planar two dimensionallattice having a first plurality of electrical paths comprising a firstplurality of electrical components that are arranged along a firstdirection in a plane and a second plurality of electrical pathscomprising a second plurality of electrical components that are arrangedalong a second direction in the plane, each of the electrical componentshaving a first terminal and a second terminal; each electrical componentof the first plurality of electrical components having at least oneelectrical terminal connected to an electrical terminal of at least oneelectrical component of the second plurality of electrical components; athird plurality of electrical components having first and secondterminals that are electrically connected between at least some of theelectrical terminals of the first and second pluralities of electricalcomponents and a reference voltage source; at least two input signalnodes and an output signal node selected from the terminals of the firstplurality of electrical elements, the at least two input signal nodesconfigured to accept input signals and the at least one output signalnode configured to provide at least one output signal; the firstplurality of electrical components and the third plurality of electricalcomponents selected to provide at least one of a constant signalpropagation velocity and a constant signal propagation amplitude forsignals propagating along paths of the first plurality of electricalpaths; and the second plurality of electrical components and the thirdplurality of electrical components selected to provide at least one of asignal propagation velocity and a signal propagation amplitude thatvaries for signals propagating along the second plurality of electricalpaths. The electrical signal transformation device is configured toprovide at the at least one output signal node an output signalcorresponding to a transformation of the plurality of input signals.

In one embodiment, the first plurality of electrical components areinductors having substantially the same inductance, the second pluralityof electrical components are inductors having inductances that vary, andthe third plurality of electrical components are capacitors havingcapacitances. In one embodiment, the first, second and third pluralitiesof electrical components are configured for emulation of one or moreaspects of a physical phenomenon using at least one real time analoginput signal. In one embodiment, the physical phenomenon is an opticalrefraction phenomenon. In one embodiment, the first, second and thirdpluralities of electrical components are configured for emulation of oneor more aspects of a mathematical process using at least one real timeanalog input signal. In one embodiment, the mathematical process is amathematical transform. In one embodiment, the mathematical transform isa discrete Fourier transform.

In one embodiment, the first, second and third pluralities of electricalcomponents are configured for combining a plurality real time analoginput signals. In one embodiment, the planar two dimensional latticecomprises a plurality of planar two dimensional sub-lattices, each ofthe planar two dimensional sub-lattices comprising a distinct planar twodimensional lattice having a respective first plurality of electricalcomponents and third plurality of electrical components selected toprovide at least one of a constant signal propagation velocity and aconstant signal propagation amplitude for signals propagating alongpaths of the first plurality of electrical paths; and a respectivesecond plurality of electrical components and third plurality ofelectrical components selected to provide at least one of a signalpropagation velocity that varies for signals propagating along paths ofthe second plurality of electrical paths and a signal propagationamplitude that varies for signals propagating along paths of the secondplurality of electrical paths. In one embodiment, a first planar twodimensional sub-lattice is configured to emulate a first opticalmaterial having a first refractive index and a second planar twodimensional sub-lattice is configured to emulate a second opticalmaterial having a second refractive index. In one embodiment, the firstplurality of electrical components are capacitors having substantiallythe same capacitance, the second plurality of electrical components arecapacitors having capacitances that vary, and the third plurality ofelectrical components are inductors having inductances.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of transforming asignal. The method comprises the steps of providing an electrical signaltransformation device, and providing a plurality of input signals to theat least two input signal nodes; and observing at the at least oneoutput signal node an output signal corresponding to a transformation ofthe plurality of input signals. The electrical signal transformationdevice comprises a two dimensional lattice having a first plurality ofelectrical paths comprising a first plurality of electrical componentsthat are arranged along a first direction in a plane and a secondplurality of electrical paths comprising a second plurality ofelectrical components that are arranged along a second direction in theplane; each of the electrical components having a first terminal and asecond terminal, each electrical component of the first plurality ofelectrical components having at least one electrical terminal connectedto an electrical terminal of at least one electrical component of thesecond plurality of electrical components; a third plurality ofelectrical components having first and second terminals, the thirdplurality of electrical components electrically connected between atleast some of the electrical terminals of the first and secondpluralities of electrical components and a reference voltage source; atleast two input signal nodes and at least one output signal nodeselected from the terminals of the first plurality of electricalelements, the at least two input signal nodes configured to accept inputsignals and the at least one output signal node configured to provide atleast one output signal; the first plurality of electrical componentsand the third plurality of electrical components selected to provide atleast one of a constant signal propagation velocity and a constantsignal propagation amplitude for signals propagating along the firstplurality of electrical paths; and the second plurality of electricalcomponents and the third plurality of electrical components selected toprovide at least one of a signal propagation velocity that varies and asignal propagation amplitude that varies for signals propagating alongthe second plurality of electrical paths.

In one embodiment, a second plurality of input signals are provided tothe at least two input signal nodes at a time after the step ofproviding a first plurality of input signals to the at least two inputsignal nodes, and before the step of observing at least one outputsignal at the at least one output signal node, the at least one outputsignal corresponding to a transformation of the first plurality of inputsignals. In one embodiment, the first plurality of input signals areanalog input signals. In one embodiment, a time interval between thestep of providing a first plurality of input signals to the at least twoinput signal nodes and the step of observing at least one output signalat the at least one output signal node, the at least one output signalcorresponding to a transformation of the first plurality of inputsignals is a propagation time of an analog signal through the electricalsignal transformation device. In one embodiment, the input signalscomprise sinusoids. In one embodiment, the input signals compriseexponential components. In one embodiment, the input signals comprisecomplex components. In one embodiment, the input signals comprise aplurality of substantially the same input signal. In one embodiment, theinput signals comprise at least two different input signals.

The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages ofthe invention will become more apparent from the following descriptionand from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the invention can be better understood withreference to the drawings described below, and the claims. The drawingsare not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placedupon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings, likenumerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a two dimensionalelectrical lattice in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrates exemplary arrangement of portions of theelectrical lattice that are each assigned a separate electricalimpedance in order to emulate an operation of an electrical funnel.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate results of emulating an ideal electrical funnelusing an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates use of different metal layers within the twodimensional electrical lattice to implement a separate electricalimpedance at a particular location.

FIG. 5 illustrates output power and drain efficiency of an embodiment ofthe invention as a function of input power at 84 GHz.

FIG. 6 illustrates a graph of output power and gain as a function offrequency for the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a die photo of a power amplifier in a 0.13 μm SiGeBiCMOS with a bipolar cutoff frequency of 200 GHz.

FIG. 8 illustrates at least part of a two dimensional lattice 800comprising a first portion (region/sub-lattice) configured to have afirst signal propagation delay characteristic, a horizontal boundary,and a second portion (region/sub-lattice) configured to have a secondsignal propagation delay characteristic.

FIG. 9 illustrates at least part of a two dimensional lattice 900comprising a first portion (region/sub-lattice) configured to have ashape of a parabolic lens and comprising a second portion(region/sub-lattice) configured to have a shape of a space surroundingthe parabolic lens.

FIG. 10 illustrates at least part of a two dimensional lattice 1000comprising a first portion (region/sub-lattice) configured to have afirst signal propagation delay characteristic, a vertical boundary, anda second portion (region/sub-lattice) configured to have a second signalpropagation delay characteristic.

FIG. 11 illustrates at least part of a two dimensional lattice 1100comprising and a first portion (region/sub-lattice) configured to have afirst signal propagation delay characteristic, a first verticalboundary, and a second portion (region/sub-lattice) configured to have asecond signal propagation delay characteristic, a second verticalboundary, and a third portion (region/sub-lattice) configured to havethe first signal propagation delay characteristic.

FIG. 12 illustrates at least part of a two dimensional lattice 1200 thatemulates total internal reflection and comprises a first portion(region/sub-lattice) configured to have a first signal propagation delaycharacteristic, a vertical boundary, and a second portion(region/sub-lattice) configured to have a second signal propagationdelay characteristic, and input nodes located within a lower left cornerof the lattice.

FIG. 13 illustrates a graph of voltage as a function of a locationwithin a two dimensional lattice having uniform inductance andcapacitance characteristics.

FIG. 14 illustrates a portion (region/sub-lattice) of a two dimensionallattice 1400 that supports a discussion of Greens identity.

FIG. 15 illustrates at least a portion (region/sub-lattice) of a twodimensional lattice 1500 that emulates diffraction through a screen(barrier) including an aperture.

FIG. 16 illustrates at least part of a two dimensional lattice 1600 thatemulates diffraction of a point source proximate to a screen (barrier)including an aperture.

FIG. 17 illustrates at least part of a two dimensional lattice 1700 thatsupports a discussion of the Sommerfeld Green's function.

FIG. 18 illustrates at least part of a two dimensional lattice 1800 thatemulates of illumination on a line several wavelengths away from a thinslit diffraction aperture.

FIG. 19 illustrates a two dimensional lattice 1900 comprising a firstportion (region/sub-lattice) configured to have a shape of a lens and asecond portion (region/sub-lattice) configured to have a shape of aspace surrounding the lens.

FIG. 20 illustrates the results of an emulation employing a twodimensional lattice to effect a spatial one dimensional Fouriertransformation of an input signal.

FIG. 21 illustrates the results of an emulation employing the lattice ofFIG. 20 using an input signal that is a step function.

FIG. 22 illustrates a graph of voltage of a sin c input signal as afunction of a location within a two dimensional lattice.

FIG. 23 illustrates a graph of voltage of an output signal resultingfrom the transformation of the input signal of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 illustrates electrical components surrounding a node of a twodimensional lattice like that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 25 illustrates a particular embodiment of a chip architectureincluding a plurality of amplifiers and a signal combiner.

FIG. 26 illustrates an arrangement of equipment for measurement setup ofthe chip of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 illustrates a chip that embodies the invention under the test.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an exemplary embodiment 100 of a two dimensionalelectrical lattice 110 in accordance with the invention. FIG. 1Aillustrates a perspective view of a portion of the expanded lattice 110of FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B illustrates a top-down view of the expanded lattice110.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the portion of the lattice 110 includes separateinductors 102 a-102 n, capacitors 104 a-104 n and nodes 106 a-106 n. Theinductors 102 a-102 n and capacitors 104 a-104 n are arranged proximateand electrically connected to the nodes 106 a-106 n of the lattice 110.

A first plurality of electrical components are located along a firstplurality of electrical paths that are directed parallel to a firstdirection (such as an X axis) 120, also referred to as a first axis 120or first direction 120, and are index identified using an (i) subscript.A second plurality of electrical components are located along a secondplurality of electrical paths that are parallel to a second directioncoplanar with the first direction (such as a Y axis) 130, also referredto as a second axis 130 or a second direction 130, and are indexidentified using an (j) subscript. The first direction and the seconddirection need not be oriented at 90 degrees to each other. For example,a surface can be completely covered using regular polygons includingtriangles, squares, and hexagons, and with many combinations of polygonsthat are not regular. An intersection between an electrical path that isparallel to the first direction 120 and between an electrical path thatis parallel to the second direction 130 forms a node 106 a-106 n of thelattice 110. The lattice 110 is also referred to as a planartwo-dimensional lattice 110.

The first plurality and second plurality of electrical components eachhave a first terminal and a second terminal and are shown as includingthe inductors 106 a-106 n. For example, inductors 102 a and 102 f aredisposed along an electrical path that is directed parallel to the firstaxis 120 and inductors 102 c, 102 d and 102 e are disposed along anelectrical path that is directed parallel to the second axis 130. Eachof the first plurality of electrical components has at least oneterminal connected to a terminal of at least one component of the secondplurality of electrical components.

A third plurality of electrical components, are located along a thirdplurality of electrical paths that are directed outside of (not parallelto) the plane formed by the intersection of the first plurality andsecond plurality of electrical paths. Each of the third plurality ofelectrical components also have a first and a second terminal and eachhave at least one terminal electrically connected in between at leastsome of the terminals of the first plurality and the second plurality ofelectrical components. In various embodiments, the first plurality,second plurality and third plurality of electrical components caninclude passive linear electrical components (or their equivalents), forexample, inductors 102 a-102 n, capacitors 104 a-104 n, resistors, andactive components that provide the equivalent electrical behavior asinductors, capacitors, or resistors.

The lattice 110 is designed to have at least at least two nodes that areselected as input signal nodes and that are configured to accept inputsignals. The input nodes are preferably selected from the terminals ofthe first plurality of electrical elements. A wide variety of inputsignals, including input signals that comprise sinusoids, exponentialand complex components for example, can be selected for input into thelattice 110 via the input nodes. In some embodiments, the plurality ofinput signals comprise substantially the same input signal. In otherembodiments, the plurality of input signals comprise at least twodifferent input signals. In some embodiments, the plurality of inputsignals construct a plane wave that propagates through the lattice 110.

The lattice 110 is also designed to have at least one node, that isselected as an output signal node, and that is configured to provide asignal that has traveled at least partially through the lattice 110. Theoutput node is preferably selected from the terminals of the firstplurality of electrical elements. The lattice 110, functioning as partof an electrical signal transformation device, is configured to input,transform and output a plurality of input signals from the input signalnodes to the at least one output signal node.

In other embodiments, the arrangement of electrical components,including inductors and capacitors, can be supplemented with resistorsand other linear components and/or their equivalents. In otherembodiments, the arrangement of inductors and capacitors can besubstituted with an arrangement of electrical components that constitutean dual circuit to that of the circuits described herein. In someembodiments, the lattice can include inductance capacitance (L-C)portions, inductance resistance (L-R) portions, and resistancecapacitance (R-C) portions of circuitry in order to effectivelytransform different characteristic types of input signals. The dualcircuit of a circuit described herein is also contemplated, as dualcircuits are understood in general to provide complementary behavior,where the voltage and current signals of one are transformed intocorresponding current and voltage signals of the other.

A 1-D (one dimensional) LC (inductance-capacitance) ladder can begeneralized to a 2-D (two dimensional) propagation medium by forming alattice consisting of inductors (L) 102 a-102 n and capacitors (C) 104a-104 n. FIG. 1 shows a square lattice, but the arrangement of inductors102 a-102 n and capacitors 104 a-104 can also be applied to other typesof lattice topologies including such as a rectangular, triangular orhexagonal lattice (not shown). Generally, this lattice can beinhomogeneous where the values of inductors and capacitors vary inspace. When the values of the inductors and capacitors do not change tooabruptly, it is possible to define local propagation delay (∝√{squareroot over (LC)}) and local characteristic impedances (∝√{square rootover (L/C)}) at each node 106 a-106 n. This allows us to define localimpedance and velocity as functions of first 120 and second 130directions, which can be engineered to achieve the desired propagationand reflection properties. We consider a sub-class of these 2-D mediawhere a plane-wave propagates along the first direction 120 (from leftto right) in a rectangular medium.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an exemplary arrangement 210 of portions(regions/sub-lattices) of the electrical lattice 210 that are eachassigned a separate electrical impedance in order to emulate anoperation of an electrical funnel. FIG. 2A illustrates a distribution ofimpedance throughout the lattice 210 that is implemented as anelectrical funnel 210. FIG. 2B illustrates a graphical representation250 of the distribution of impedance.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 and subsequent figures, a squarelattice, with first and second directions oriented parallel to the X 120and Y 130 axes, respectively, is used for ease of exposition. As shown,portions of the lattice 110 are assigned separate impedances todemonstrate a basic idea of a funnel. For example, portions 212 aa, 212ba, 212 ca through 212 na are assigned impedance values of Z, 3Z, 5Z, .. . 10Z respectively, and portions 212 ba, 212 bb through 212 bn areassigned impedance values of Z uniformly, and portions 212 ca, 212 cb,212 cc through 212 cn are assigned impedance values Z, 3Z, 5Z, . . . 10Zrespectively. Input signals 214 are input into the lattice 110 at inputterminals not shown and are output from the lattice 110 at the outputterminals 216 a-216 c.

One of the ways these surfaces can be engineered is by keeping thesignal propagation velocity constant with respect to its X dimension 120(constant LC product for a given X coordinate), while increasing thecharacteristic impedance with respect to its Y dimension 130 at the top220 a and bottom 220 b of the lattice 110, as we move along the X axis120 to the right. This is shown in FIG. 2 graphically. A planar wavepropagating in the X direction 120 from left to right graduallyexperiences higher impedances at the top 220 a and bottom 220 b edges,while experiencing a relatively lower impedance (resistance) path forthe current traveling in the middle (center) 220 c of the lattice 110.This impedance profile funnels more power to the center 220 c of thelattice 110, as the wave propagates to the right (towards the outputnodes 216 a-216 c), as demonstrated in the simulated voltage and currentwaveforms shown in FIGS. 3A-3B.

By keeping the propagation velocity independent of the Y axis 130 as thesignal propagates along the X axis 120 (towards the output nodes 216a-216 c), the signal maintains a shape of a plane wave while keeping thelattice response frequency independent for the frequencies lower thanits natural cut-off frequency. We call this an electrical funnel due tothe way it combines and channels the power to the center 220 c of thelattice 110 towards the output nodes 216 a-216 c.

Embodiments of the invention are preferably designed to satisfy criteriawhere the first plurality of electrical components and the thirdplurality of electrical components are selected to provide at least oneof a constant signal propagation velocity and/or a constant signalpropagation amplitude for signals propagating along the first pluralityof electrical paths. The second plurality of electrical components andthe third plurality of electrical components are preferably designed toprovide at least one of a signal propagation velocity and/or a signalpropagation amplitude that varies for signals propagating along thesecond plurality of electrical paths.

As shown in FIG. 1A. the first plurality of electrical paths include theinductors 102 c-102 e, 102 h-102 i. The second plurality of electricalpaths include the inductors 102 a and 102 f, and inductors 102 b, 102 gand 102 n. The third plurality of paths includes the capacitors 104a-104 n which are located outside of the plane formed by the first andsecond plurality of electrical paths.

As will be further described, a signal propagation delay characteristicT=√{square root over (LC)}, which is a function of the inductance andcapacitance per unit length along an electrical path, affects the signalpropagation velocity of a signal propagating (traveling) along theelectrical path. An impedance characteristic R=√{square root over(L/C)}, which is also a function of the inductance and capacitance perunit length along an electrical path, affects the signal amplitude, suchas the signal current as a function of time, of a signal propagating(traveling) along the electrical path.

For example, in some embodiments, the first plurality of electricalcomponents are inductors having substantially the same inductance, andthe second plurality of electrical components are inductors havinginductances that vary, and the third plurality of electrical componentsare capacitors having capacitances. The inductances that vary do soalong the electrical paths that are parallel to the direction of the Yaxis 130 and influence the signal propagation delay characteristicand/or the impedance characteristic of those electrical paths.

The lattice 110 is designed so that a signal is input via at least twoinput signal nodes and is transformed and communicated to at least oneoutput signal node of the lattice 110. Further, the lattice ispreferably designed so that both a first plurality and a secondplurality of signals are input into the lattice 110 in sequence overtime and before an output signal corresponding to a transformation ofthe first plurality of signals is observed via the at least one outputsignal node.

In some embodiments, the lattice 110 is also designed so that the first,second and third pluralities of electrical components are configured foremulation of one or more aspects of at least one physical phenomenon byinputting, transforming and outputting at least one real time analoginput signal. In some embodiments, the physical phenomenon includesoptical refraction or diffraction. In some embodiments, the first,second and third pluralities of electrical components are configured foremulation of one or more aspects of at least one logical process, suchas a mathematical process. The mathematical process can be amathematical transform, such as a discrete Fourier transform. In someembodiments, the first, second and third pluralities of electricalcomponents are configured for combining a plurality of real time analoginput signals.

In some embodiments, the lattice 110 comprises a plurality of planar twodimensional sub-lattices. The two dimensional sub-lattices can bedefined as portions of the lattice 110, and are also referred to asportions or regions of the lattice 110. Each of the sub-latticescomprises a distinct planar two dimensional lattice having a respectivefirst plurality and third plurality of electrical components that areselected to provide at least one of a constant signal propagationvelocity and/or a constant signal propagation amplitude for signalspropagating along the first plurality of electrical paths, and arespective second plurality and third plurality of electrical componentsselected to provide at least one of a signal propagation velocity and/ora signal propagation amplitude that varies for signals propagating alongthe second plurality of electrical paths.

In some embodiments, a first planar two dimensional sub-lattice isconfigured to emulate a first optical material having a first refractiveindex and a second planar two dimensional sub-lattice is configured toemulate a second optical material having a second refractive index.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate results of simulating (emulating) an idealelectrical funnel using an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3Aillustrates a graph 320 of voltage as a function of section number forthe funnel (lattice) 210. FIG. 3B illustrates a graph 340 of current asa function of section number for the funnel (lattice) 210. FIG. 3Cillustrates a graph 360 of simulated efficiency as a function offrequency of the input signal for the funnel (lattice) 210. FIG. 3Dillustrates a profile 380 of power (W) distributed throughout the funnel(lattice) 210.

Multiple synchronous signal sources driving the left-hand side (from Xsection number equal to 0) of the funnel (lattice) 210 can generate aplanar wave front moving along the X axis 120 towards the right handside (X section number equal to 140). The output node is at the centerof the right boundary (X section number equal to 140). All of the rightboundary nodes 216 a-216 c are terminated with a resistor matched to thelocal impedance at that node. The nodes at the boundary having Y sectionnumber equal 15 and the nodes at the boundary having Y section numberequal 0 are kept open. For one implementation, FIG. 3C illustratessimulated efficiency vs. frequency demonstrating the broadband nature ofthe electrical funnel (lattice 210). Efficiency is defined by the ratioof the power at the output node to the sum of the powers at the inputnodes.

There is a dual circuit that corresponds to the funnel (lattice 210)where the local characteristic impedance is kept independent of the Yaxis 130 while the propagation velocity is modified to increase at thetop boundary (Y section number equal 15 (j=15)) and bottom boundary (Ysection number equal 0 (j=0)) of the combiner lattice 210 as the wavefront moves to the right (from X section number equal to 0 (i=0) towardsX section number equal to 140 (i=140)). The input sources on the leftboundary (X section number equal to 0 (i=0) add coherently at the focalpoint which should occur in the middle of the right boundary atapproximately X=140, Y˜7 or 8, (i=140, j=7.5) where the output is taken.The behavior of this lattice 110 resembles the behavior of an opticallens and is thus referred to as an electrical lens, due to its focusingnature. However, this focusing behavior is frequency dependent and henceworks perfectly only at one frequency. For other frequencies, the phaseshift from the input to the output is different, resulting in adifferent focal length.

To construct the above described dual circuit, the lattice 210 of FIG. 2is modified in the following way. The variations of the characteristicimpedance values of FIG. 2 are instead modified to equal one uniformvalue with respect to the Y axis 130. Signal propagation delay values,which affect signal propagation velocity and that were uniform in FIG.2, are instead varied with respect to the Y axis 130 so that signalpropagation delay is minimized, and signal propagation velocity ismaximized, at the upper 220 a and lower 220 b boundaries of the latticeof FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates use of different metal layers 410, 420 and 430 withinthe electrical lattice to implement a characteristic impedance at aparticular location.

Noting that the characteristic impedance at the edge of a rectangularimplementation of the funnel increases for larger X 120, it is possibleto discard the higher impedance parts of the mesh as a signal propagatesto the right side of the lattice 110, 210. In a silicon process withmultiple metals, we can use different metal layers at different pointson the Y 130 axis resulting in a different capacitance per unit lengththat can be used to control the local characteristic impedance acrossthe combiner lattice 110, 210 as shown in FIG. 4. By doing so, most ofthe input power will focus at the output which is matched to 50Ω. Thecombiner lattice 110, 210 is 410 μm long (X axis 120) and 240 μm across(Y axis 130). It uses four lower metal layers to form the variable depthground plane. Since we only change the capacitance, and not theinductance, the propagation delay will somewhat vary vs. Y axisdirection 130, resulting in a band pass response. One could considerthis type of combiner embodiment to be a hybrid between an ideal funnelembodiment and an ideal lens embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates output power 530 and drain efficiency 540 of anembodiment of the invention as a function of input power 520 at 84 GHz.The linear amplifiers have two power supplies of −2.5V and 0.8V and draw750 mA of current. Small-signal gain is approximately 8 dB andefficiency rises as the amplifier enters compression. At this frequency,drain efficiency is more than 4% at 3 dB gain compression.

FIG. 6 illustrates a graph of output power and gain 630 as a function offrequency 640 for the embodiment of FIG. 5. The maximum of about 21 dBmin output power 630 was measured using two different signal sources: abackward wave oscillator (BWO) and a frequency multiplier. The lowermeasured maximum power using the multiplier is due to its limited outputpower compared to BWO and the lower amplifier gain from 86 to 90 GHz.The peak output power of 125 mW is achieved at 85 GHz, and over 60 mWoutput power is available between 73 GHz and 97 GHz, or a 3 dB BW of 24GHz.

FIG. 7 illustrates a die photo 710 of a power amplifier in a 0.13 μmSiGe BiCMOS with a bipolar cutoff frequency of 200 GHz. In order toobtain a wideband response, we use class-A degenerate cascadedistributed amplifier 720 as input driver with emitter degeneration asshown in the left most pane 750 of FIG. 7. A non-degenerate cascadeamplifying stage in this process has a maximum stable power gain of 15dB at 80 GHz, as opposed to 7 dB for a standard common-emitter. Theemitter degeneration is used to trade gain for bandwidth. Each amplifier720 consists of 8 stages driving the output transmission line (as shownin schematic in the pane 720 at the bottom of FIG. 7), which isconnected to the combiner 730. The input is divided into 4 paths, eachdriving an amplifier. After amplification the combiner combines power atthe output node 740.

Two-dimensional lattices 110 of inductors and capacitors (2-D LClattices), an example of which is diagrammed in FIGS. 1A-1B, are anatural generalization of one-dimensional transmission lines. Bothlinear and nonlinear versions of 2-D (two dimensional) LC(inductor/capacitor) lattices 110 can be for the solution ofsignal-shaping problems in the frequency range of DC to 100 GHz. Onereason for favoring LC lattices is that they are generally composed onlyof passive devices, which as compared with active devices do not sufferfrom limited gain, efficiency, and breakdown voltage. Furthermore, thequality factor for passive components is reasonable enough to allow acut-off frequency of approximately 300 GHz, which is difficult toachieve using active (non-passive) device solutions. Hence 2-D LClattices are reasonable candidates to introduce into high microwave andmillimeter-wave integrated circuit design.

General models for 2-D LC lattices have been derived, starting fromKirchhoff's laws of voltage and current. These models consist of partialdifferential equations (PDE) arising from continuum and quasi-continuumlimits, which are valid for signals with frequency content below acertain threshold value. The quasi-continuum models consist of thecontinuum models plus higher-order dispersive corrections designed totake into account lattice discreteness. Based on the PDE models andnumerical simulations, it was found that a 2-D LC lattice could be usedto combine the power from various input signals. Such a lattice has beendesigned and fabricated on chip in a 0.13 μm SiGe BiCMOS process whereit has been used to implement a power amplifier that generates 125 mW at85 GHz. (See FIGS. 6-7).

We now apply our continuum and quasi-continuum models to demonstrate thepossibility of designing 2-D LC lattices that reproduce classicaloptical refraction and diffraction phenomena. These results areplausible, because the continuum model for a homogeneous 2-D LC latticeis like the scalar wave equation, which also governs scalar fields inthe optical context. What is interesting, and what our numericalsimulations show, is that discreteness does not present a major obstaclefor reproducing optical phenomena in the context of 2-D lattices. Apositive result of this finding is that 2-D LC lattices can be used tocompute an approximate discrete Fourier transform of an input signal.

Additionally, in a 2-D LC lattice, we are able to vary both inductanceand capacitance independently, enabling us to create lattices that havelarge changes in the signal propagation delay (corresponding to changesin the refraction index in an optical material) while keeping signalimpedance constant, or vice versa. Generally, engineering LC lattices iseasier, less expensive, and possibly faster than engineering opticalmaterials with similar properties.

Classic texts, such as the text titled “Principals of Optics” authoredby M. Born and E. Wolf and the text titled “Introduction to FourierOptics” authored by J. W. Goodman on wave and Fourier optics concentratetheir efforts on three-dimensional media, ostensibly because mostexperimental diffraction setups involve light propagation in threespatial dimensions. However, the propagation of light in two-dimensionalmedia has been considered before. Diffraction integrals for atwo-dimensional dispersion-free continuum were almost likely known toSommerfeld—see, for example, equations (2.23)-(2.26) of Bouwkamp'ssurvey article (C. J. Bouwkamp, Rep. Prog. Phys. 17, 35 (1954)) andreferences therein. Recent work in this area is due to J. J. Stamnes,who has derived exact, approximate, and numerical results for focusingand diffraction of two-dimensional waves. Stamnes' results stop short ofshowing that even for 2-D waves, a standard Fourier transform integralcan be derived. Furthermore, Stamnes' work deals exclusively with wavespropagating through a dispersionless continuum, which describes ourdiscrete 2-D LC lattice only approximately, and only in certainfrequency regimes. Other papers on 2-D diffraction (A. C. Green, H. L.Bertoni, and L. B. Felsen, J. Opt. Soc. Am. 69, 1503 (1979)) and (S. L.Dvorak and H.-Y. Pao, IEEE Trans. Ant. Prop. 53, 2299 (2005)) do notdiffer in this regard.

The mathematical portion of our work benefits from the classicalapproaches of Sommerfeld and Kirchhoff, also employed by Stamnes. Theirapproach for single-slit diffraction problems consists primarily inusing one of Green's identities to express the diffracted field at apoint P₀ in terms of a particular integral around a curve centered atP₀. We denote this integral by I(P₀). Next, we assume that the spatialpart of the diffracted field is a solution of the Helmholtz equation:(∇² +k ²)ψ=0.  (1)

Knowledge of the radially symmetric solutions of equation (1), togetherwith a choice of boundary conditions for the field and its normalderivative on the aperture of the slit, enables us to pass from theintegral I(P₀) to a diffraction integral. In the present work, wevalidate our numerical results on diffraction using this classicalapproach.

The classical work of Brillouin on crystal lattices makes explicit theanalogy between crystal lattices, mass-spring models, and LC lattices inone, two, and three spatial dimensions. Brillouin's primary focus inthis work was the development of band-gap theories for lattices withperiodic in-homogeneities. The lattice in-homogeneities we consider areof an entirely different type.

We first analyze a basic refraction problem in a lattice consisting oftwo halves separated by a straight line, where one half has a highersignal propagation delay √{square root over (LC)} than the other half.We assume that lattice voltage is described by our quasi-continuum modeland obtain a dispersively corrected form of Snell's law. Our analysesare corroborated by numerical simulations (emulation) of the fullydiscrete lattice equations, Kirchhoff's laws of voltage and current.

Next we will examine the problem of diffraction in a uniform 2-D LClattice. Suppose we have a lattice 110 whose size, in both the X 120 andY 130 directions, is just a few wavelengths. Then the lattice 110 itselfacts like a thin slit diffraction aperture; in other words, as wavespropagate from the left to the right boundary of the lattice, it is asif they are propagating from one side of a thin slit diffractionaperture to the other. Numerical experiments bear this out.

Using our continuum model, we derive two-dimensional versions of theKirchhoff and Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integrals. Applying thesame arguments from Huygens-Fresnel theory, we solve for theillumination, due to a source propagating from the left half of thelattice 110, onto the right boundary of the lattice. We show that undercertain reasonable approximations, the illumination is a phase-shiftedFourier transform of the source. By using an appropriate electricallens, we cancel out this phase shift and thereby show how a 2-D LClattice can compute an approximate Fourier transform of an input signal.Implementation issues for such a lattice are discussed.

The following describes lattice equations and partial differentialequation (PDE) models and Kirchhoff's Laws. For a two-dimensional LClattice that extends infinitely in both directions, Kirchhoff's laws ofvoltage and current read: $\begin{matrix}{{{I_{i,{j - {1/2}}} + I_{{i - {1/2}},j} - I_{{i + {1/2}},j} - I_{i,{j + {1/2}}}} = {C_{ij}\frac{\mathbb{d}}{\mathbb{d}t}V_{ij}}},} & \left( {2a} \right) \\{{{V_{i,{j - 1}} - V_{i,j}} = {L_{i,{j - {1/2}}}\frac{\mathbb{d}}{\mathbb{d}t}I_{i,{j - {1/2}}}}},} & \left( {2b} \right) \\{{V_{i,j} - V_{{i + 1},j}} = {L_{{i + {1/2}},j}\frac{\mathbb{d}}{\mathbb{d}t}{I_{{i + {1/2}},j}.}}} & \left( {2c} \right)\end{matrix}$

Here we have assumed that the capacitances C_(ij) and the inductancesL_(αβ) stay fixed as a function of time. Otherwise the right-hand sidesof equations 2a-2c would have to be modified, and the dynamics of thelattice would be nonlinear. In contrast, system of equations 2a-2c islinear.

The following describes a continuum limit. The continuum limit ofequation (3) was derived using standard Taylor series arguments. In thecase of a uniform lattice, one can arrive at a continuum limit simply byexamining the dispersion relation, a procedure we now describe. TakeC_(ij)=C and L_(αβ)=L everywhere, differentiate equation (2a) withrespect to time, and then substitute equations (2b-2c) to derive thesingle second-order equation for lattice voltage:(V _(i−1,j)−2V _(i,j) +V _(i+1,j) +V _(i,j−1)−2V _(i,j) ÷V_(i,j+1))=LC{umlaut over (V)} _(if).  (3)

Assume that the spacing between lattice elements is the same in both theX 120 and the Y 130 directions, and denote this constant lattice spacingby d. ThenV _(i+1,j)(t)=e ^(ik) ^(x) ^(d) V _(i,j)(t), V _(i,j)(t)=e ^(ik) ^(y)^(d) V _(i,j)(t), V _(i,j)(t)=e ^(−iωt),one derives the dispersion relation. $\begin{matrix}{\omega = {{\frac{2}{\sqrt{LC}}\left\lbrack {{\sin^{2}\frac{k_{x}d}{2}} + {\sin^{2}\frac{k_{y}d}{2}}} \right\rbrack}^{1/2}.}} & (4)\end{matrix}$

When θ<<1, we may approximate sin θ≈θ. Therefore, when k_(x)d<<1 andk_(y)d<<1, the dispersion relation may be approximated by$\begin{matrix}{\omega = {{\frac{d}{\sqrt{LC}}\left\lbrack {k_{x}^{2} + k_{y}^{2}} \right\rbrack}^{1/2}.}} & (5)\end{matrix}$

Replace L by dl and C by dc, where l and c are, respectively, inductanceand capacitance per unit length. Assuming that l and c stay constant inthe d→0 limit, we arrive at the continuum dispersion relation$\begin{matrix}{{\omega = {\frac{1}{\sqrt{lc}}\left\lbrack {k_{x}^{2} + k_{y}^{2}} \right\rbrack}^{1/2}},} & (6)\end{matrix}$which is the exact dispersion relation for the scalar wave equation$\begin{matrix}{{\nabla^{2}\upsilon} = {{lc}{\frac{\partial^{2}\upsilon}{\partial t^{2}}.}}} & (7)\end{matrix}$

In previous deviations, we started with (3), then posited a continuousfunction v(x,y,t) such that v(id,jd, t)≈V_(ij),(t), expanded V_(i+σ,j)and V_(i,j+σ) in Taylor series about V_(i,j), and thereby derivedprecisely the same PDE model of equation (7). The derivation of equation(7) as a continuum model of equation (3) on the basis ofexact/approximate dispersion relations has its own utility, as we nowshow.

The following is a discussion of the range of validity. One wants tounderstand, quantitatively, where the continuum model of equation (7),is valid. First off, one can easily determine that the relative error inthe approximation sin² θ≈θ² is less than 2.5% for |θ|<¼. Hence we wantk_(x)d<¼ and k_(y)d<¼. Because wavelength is related to wave number byλ=2π/k, the conditions on k_(x) and k_(y) imply$\frac{\lambda_{x}}{d},{\frac{\lambda_{y}}{d} > \frac{2\pi}{1/4} \approx 25.}$

As long as one wavelength of the lattice wave occupies more than 25lattice spacings (sections), the continuum dispersion relation ofequation (6) and PDE equation (7) is a reasonable approximation to thefully discrete dispersion relation of equation (4) and differentialequation (3).

We may go further. For the sake of illustration, let us fix theinductance and capacitance to be, respectively, L=30 pH and C=20 fF.Inductors and capacitors with these values (and somewhat smaller values)can be fabricated in today's silicon processes; at values that are muchsmaller, parasitic effects become an issue. Suppose waves of frequency wpropagate through such a lattice, in the X 120 direction only. In thiscase k_(y)=0. The dispersion relation of equation (4) may now be used todetermine that, with these parameters,${k_{x}d} = {2\sin^{- 1}{\frac{\omega}{2.6 \times 10^{12}}.}}$

Then k_(x)d<¼ as long as w<52 GHz, the cut-off frequency for validity ofthe continuum model of the 2-D LC lattice. Note also that is easy toread off the cut-off frequency w_(M) for the lattice itself from theabove calculation:w _(M)≈2.6×10¹² sec⁻¹≈410 GHz

The following is a discussion of the dispersive correction. If one seeksa PDE model for equation (3) with an extended range of validity, one wayto proceed is to use higher-order terms when approximating sin inequation (4). That is, starting with equation (4), we use a two-termTaylor series approximation for sin θ, resulting in $\begin{matrix}{{\sin^{2}\theta} \approx {\theta^{2} - {\frac{\theta^{4}}{3}.}}} & (8)\end{matrix}$

The resulting approximate dispersion relation is $\begin{matrix}{\omega = {{\frac{d}{\sqrt{lc}}\left\lbrack {k_{x}^{2} + k_{y}^{2} - {\frac{d^{2}}{12}\left( {k_{x}^{4} + k_{y}^{4}} \right)}} \right\rbrack}^{1/2}.}} & (9)\end{matrix}$

This dispersion relation is the exact dispersion relation for the scalarPDE $\begin{matrix}{{{{\nabla^{2}\upsilon} + {\frac{d^{2}}{12}{\nabla^{4}\upsilon}}} = {{lc}\frac{\partial^{2}\upsilon}{\partial t^{2}}}},} & (10)\end{matrix}$where ∇⁴ is the bilaplacian operator $\begin{matrix}{\bigtriangledown^{4} = {\frac{\partial^{4}}{\partial x^{4}} + {\frac{\partial^{4}}{\partial y^{4}}.}}} & (11)\end{matrix}$Equation (10), derived previously using Taylor series approximations, isa quasi-continuum model for the discrete equation (3). To evaluate wherethis model is valid, consider that the relative error in theapproximation of equation (8) is now less than 2.5% for |x|<1. Repeatingthe above calculation in this case, we obtain the conditions$\frac{\lambda\quad x}{d},{\frac{\lambda\quad y}{d} > {2\quad\pi} \approx 6.}$

As long as lattice waves occupy at least 7 lattice spacings (sections),the dispersion relation of equation (9) closely matches the truedispersion relation of equation (4). Using the full dispersion relationof equation (4), we determine that this condition holds for plane wavesmoving in the X 120 direction when w<198 GHz, assuming as before auniform lattice with inductance L=30 pH and C=20 fF.

The following is a discussion of the effect of the boundaries. Ofcourse, experimentally realizable lattices must be of finite extent.Furthermore, when we numerically simulate the lattice equations, we musttake into account appropriate boundary conditions that arise due tofiniteness of the lattice. For these reasons we give a few detailsregarding Kirchhoff's laws on the boundaries.

For a finite lattice with M nodes in the X 120 direction and N nodes inthe Y 130 direction, we see that

Equation (2a) holds for 2≦i≦M, 2≦j≦N,

Equation (2b) holds for 1≦i≦M, 2≦j≦N, and

Equation (2c) holds for 1≦i≦M−1, 1≦j≦N.

Equations (2b-2c) already take into account contributions due to voltagenodes on the boundary and need not be modified. Meanwhile, equation (2a)for i=1, i=M, j=1, and j=N must be corrected by deleting those terms onthe left-hand side corresponding to edges outside the lattice.Furthermore, we assume the right boundary of the lattice is resistivelyterminated with resistors obeying Ohm's law, so that the equations fori=M read:${C_{M\quad j}\frac{\mathbb{d}}{\mathbb{d}t}V_{M\quad j}} = \left\{ \begin{matrix}{I_{M - {{1/2}\quad j}} - I_{{M\quad j} + {1/2}} - {V_{M\quad j}R_{j}^{- 1}}} & {j = 1} \\{I_{{M\quad j} - {1/2}} + I_{M - {{1/2}\quad j}} - I_{M + {{1/2}\quad j}} - {V_{M\quad j}R_{j}^{- 1}}} & {2 \leq j \leq {N - 1}} \\{I_{{M\quad j} - {1/2}} + I_{M - {{1/2}\quad j}} - {V_{M\quad j}R_{j}^{- 1}}} & {j = {N.}}\end{matrix} \right.$

The resistances R_(j) are chosen to minimize the reflection coefficientfor waves incident on the right boundary. This is a basic impedancematching problem, and for a uniform medium the solution is given bychoosing R=√{square root over (L/C)} everywhere along the rightboundary.

The following describes optical refraction and Snell's Law. FIG. 8illustrates a two dimensional lattice 800 comprising a first portion(region/sub-lattice) 810 configured to have a first signal propagationdelay characteristic, a horizontal interface (boundary) 830, and asecond portion (region/sub-lattice) 820 configured to have a secondsignal propagation delay characteristic. FIG. 8 shows the simplestscenario: a 2-D LC lattice with a jump in the signal propagation delay,τ=√{square root over (LC)}, along a horizontal interface (boundary) 830.That is to say, above the interface, the signal propagation delay equalsτ₁=√{square root over (L₁C₁)}, while below the interface (boundary), thesignal propagation delay equals τ₂=√{square root over (L₂C₂)}. Anincident wave arrives at the interface 830 (from above) at an angleθ^(I) 840 and is partly reflected at an angle θ^(R) 842, and partlytransmitted at an angle θ^(T) 846.

The continuum model for the lattice is given by equation (7), repeatedhere: $\begin{matrix}{{\bigtriangledown^{2}V} = {\tau^{2}\frac{\partial^{2}V}{\partial t^{2}}}} & (12)\end{matrix}$where V is the voltage and the signal propagation delay τ=√{square rootover (LC)}. By assuming that the incident, reflected, and transmittedwaves are plane wave solutions of equation (12), propagating with theappropriate dispersion relation depending on whether they are in theupper or lower portions (halves) of the lattice 800, one can applystandard arguments to derive θ^(I)=θ^(R), as well as Snell's law:$\begin{matrix}{\frac{\sin\quad\theta^{T}}{\sin\quad\theta^{I}} = {\frac{\tau_{1}}{\tau_{2}}.}} & (13)\end{matrix}$

The derivation of equation (13) starting from equation (12) iscompletely standard and we shall not repeat it here. Instead, let usexamine the effect of discreteness on the simple refraction problem—morespecifically, let us derive a version of Snell's law that accounts (tolowest order) for the dispersion induced by discreteness. Suppose thatthe incident, reflected, and transmitted waves are solutions of thedispersive, quasi-continuum model $\begin{matrix}{{{{\bigtriangledown^{2}V} + {\frac{h^{2}}{12}\bigtriangledown^{4}V}} = {\tau^{2}\frac{\partial^{2}V}{\partial t^{2}}}},} & (14)\end{matrix}$where ∇⁴ is the bilaplacian defined in equation (11). This equation hasplane wave solutions of the formV=exp(i(k·x−ωt))as long as frequency w and wave number k are related by the dispersionrelation$\omega^{2} = {{\frac{1}{\tau^{2}}\left\lbrack {{k}^{2} - {\frac{h^{2}}{12}\left( {k_{x}^{4} + k_{y}^{4}} \right)}} \right\rbrack}.}$

With this dispersion relation, we consider the standard refractionproblem, and assume plane wave formsV ^(I)=exp(i(k ^(I) ·x−ω ^(I) t))V ^(R) =R exp(i(k _(R) ·x−ω ^(R) t))V ^(T) =T exp(i(k ^(T)·x−ω^(T) t))for incident, reflected, and transmitted voltage. By matching voltagesat the interface y=0, we obtainexp i(k _(x) ¹ x−ω _(I) tt)+R exp i(k _(x) ^(R) +ω _(R) t)=T exp i(k_(x) ^(T) x−ω _(T) t),  (15)which must be true for all x and all t. Therefore we must have thefollowing equalities:k_(I) ^(R)=k_(I) ^(T)=k_(I) ¹  (16)ω^(R)=ω^(T)=ω¹  (17)

These equalities are quite useful in the following derivation. Thederivation of a dispersively corrected version of Snell's law begins bynoticing from the geometry of the problem that $\begin{matrix}{\frac{\sin\quad\theta^{T}}{\sin\quad\theta^{I}} = {\frac{k^{I}}{k^{T}}.}} & (18)\end{matrix}$

The procedure from here onwards consists of using equalities ofequations (16-17) together with the dispersion relations in the y<0 andy>0 half-planes to try and express the right-hand side of equation (18)in terms of incident wave number k^(I), the lattice spacing h, and thesignal propagation delays; τ₁ and τ₂. Assuming we have done that, we canexpand the right-hand side in powers of h. At order h^(o) we expect torecover the non-dispersive Snell's law of equation (13).

We begin by rearranging the dispersion relation in the y<0 half-plane towrite${{k^{T}} = \sqrt{{\tau_{2}^{2}\omega^{2}} + {\frac{h^{2}}{12}\left\lbrack {k_{x}^{T^{4}} + k_{y}^{T^{4}}} \right\rbrack}}},$which we then substitute into the denominator of equation (18),producing $\begin{matrix}{\frac{\sin\quad\theta^{T}}{\sin\quad\theta^{I}} = {\sqrt{\frac{k_{x}^{I^{2}} + k_{y}^{I^{2}}}{{\tau_{2}^{2}\omega^{2}} + {\frac{h^{2}}{12}\left\lbrack {k_{z}^{I^{4}} + k_{y}^{T^{4}}} \right\rbrack}}}.}} & (19)\end{matrix}$

Here we have used k_(x) ^(T)=k_(x) ¹. The dispersion relation for w^(I)reads$\omega^{2} = {{\frac{1}{\tau_{1}^{2}}\left\lbrack {{k^{I}}^{2} - {\frac{h^{2}}{12}\left( {k_{x}^{I^{4}} + k_{y}^{I^{4}}} \right)}} \right\rbrack}.}$

Substituting this into equation (19) and squaring both sides gives$\begin{matrix}{{\left( \frac{\sin\quad\theta^{T}}{\sin\quad\theta^{I}} \right)^{2} = \frac{k_{x}^{I^{2}} + k_{y}^{I^{2}}}{{\tau_{\quad 2}^{\quad 2}{\tau_{\quad 1}^{- 2}\begin{bmatrix}{k_{\quad x}^{I^{2}} + k_{y}^{I^{2}} -} \\{\frac{\quad h^{\quad 2}}{\quad 12}\left( {k_{\quad x}^{I^{4}} + k_{\quad y}^{I^{4}}} \right)}\end{bmatrix}}} + {\frac{\quad h^{\quad 2}}{\quad 12}\left\lbrack {k_{\quad x}^{I^{4}} + k_{\quad y}^{T^{4}}} \right\rbrack}}},} & (20)\end{matrix}$

As regards the y-component of the outgoing wave vector, ‘k_(y) ^(T)’using w^(T)=w^(I) and the dispersion relation, we write $\begin{matrix}{{\frac{1}{\tau_{1}^{2}}\left\lbrack {{k^{I}}^{2} - {\frac{\quad h^{\quad 2}}{\quad 12}\left( {k_{\quad x}^{I^{4}} + k_{\quad y}^{I^{4}}} \right)}} \right\rbrack} = {{\frac{1}{\tau_{2}^{2}}\begin{bmatrix}{{\quad k^{T}}^{2} -} \\{\frac{\quad h^{\quad 2}}{\quad 12}\left( {k_{\quad x}^{T^{4}} + k_{\quad y}^{T^{4}}} \right)}\end{bmatrix}}.}} & (21)\end{matrix}$

After substituting k_(x) ^(T)=k_(x) ^(I), we use the quadratic formulato solve for k_(y) ^(T) ² as a function of k^(I). The result is$\begin{matrix}{{k_{y}^{T^{2}} = \frac{{6\tau_{\quad 1}^{\quad 2}} \mp \sqrt{\begin{matrix}{{\left( {{{- h^{\quad 4}}k_{\quad x}^{I^{4}}} + {12h^{\quad 2}k_{\quad x}^{\quad I^{\quad 2}}} + 36} \right)\tau_{\quad 1}^{\quad 4}} +} \\{{h^{\quad 2}\left( {{h^{2}k_{\quad x}^{\quad^{I^{4}}}} - {12k_{\quad x}^{I^{2}}} + {h^{\quad 2}k_{\quad y}^{I^{4}}} - {12k_{\quad y}^{I^{2}}}} \right)}\tau_{\quad 2}^{\quad 2}\tau_{\quad 1}^{\quad 2}}\end{matrix}}}{h^{2}\tau_{1}^{2}}},} & (22)\end{matrix}$and we choose the root with a negative sign because its h→0 limitreproduces the non-dispersive relationship $\begin{matrix}{k_{y}^{T^{2}} = {{\frac{\tau_{2}^{2}}{\tau_{1}^{2}}\left( {k_{x}^{I^{2}} + k_{y}^{I^{2}}} \right)} - {k_{x}^{I^{2}}.}}} & (23)\end{matrix}$

Finally we substitute equation (22) in equation (20) and obtain alengthy expression that depends only on τ₁, τ₂, h, and k_(I). Taylorexpansion of this expression in powers of h gives a dispersive 0(h²)correction to Snell's law: $\begin{matrix}{\left( \frac{\sin\quad\theta^{T}}{\sin\quad\theta^{I}} \right)^{2} = {\frac{\tau_{1}^{2}}{\tau_{2}^{2}} + {h^{2}\left\lbrack \frac{\begin{matrix}\left( {1 - {\tau_{\quad 1}^{\quad 2}/\tau_{\quad 2}^{\quad 2}}} \right) \\\left( {{2k_{\quad x}^{\quad I^{\quad 4}}{\tau_{\quad 1}^{\quad 2}/\tau_{\quad 2}^{\quad 2}}} - {\quad k^{\quad I}}^{4}} \right)\end{matrix}}{6{k^{I}}^{2}} \right\rbrack} + {{O\left( h^{4} \right)}.}}} & (23)\end{matrix}$

Note that the dispersive correction depends on signal propatation delaysρ₁ and ρ₂ only through the ratio τ₁/τ₂. Note also that when τ₁=τ₂, theO(h²) term vanishes and we recover sin θ^(T)=sin θ^(I).

Let us rewrite (23) slightly by factoring out ∥k¹∥² from the O(h²) term:$\left( \frac{\sin\quad\theta^{T}}{\sin\quad\theta^{I}} \right)^{2} = {\frac{\tau_{1}^{2}}{\tau_{2}^{2}} + {\frac{h^{2}{k^{I}}^{2}}{6}\left( {1 - \frac{\tau_{1}^{2}}{\tau_{2}^{2}}} \right)\left( {{2\frac{k_{x}^{I^{4}}}{{k^{I}}^{4}}\frac{\tau_{1}^{2}}{\tau_{2}^{2}}} - 1} \right)} + {O{\left( h^{4} \right).}}}$

Note that$\frac{k_{x}^{I^{4}}}{{k^{I}}^{4}} = {\sin^{4}{\theta^{I}.}}$

Next, assuming h∥k^(I)∥ is small, we may use √{square root over(α²φ)}≈α+φ/(2α) to write $\begin{matrix}{\frac{\sin\quad\theta^{T}}{\sin\quad\theta^{I}} = {\frac{\tau_{1}}{\tau_{2}} + {\frac{h^{2}{k^{I}}^{2}}{12}\left( {1 - \frac{\tau_{1}^{2}}{\tau_{2}^{2}}} \right)\left( {{2\sin^{4}\theta^{I}\frac{\tau_{1}^{2}}{\tau_{2}^{2}}} - 1} \right)\frac{\tau_{2}}{\tau_{1}}} + {O{\left( h^{4} \right).}}}} & (24)\end{matrix}$

Given θ^(I) 840, h, and τ₁/τ₂, it is easy to evaluate this formula toobtain the refracted angle θ^(T) 846.

The following describes a thick parabolic lens. Suppose we have aparabolic lens described by F(x, y)=0 where${F\left( {x,y} \right)} = {x - {\frac{\alpha}{2}{y^{2}.}}}$

The curve F(x, y)=0 is the left boundary 912 of the lens. The rightboundary 914 of the lens is taken to be a vertical line as in FIG. 9.FIG. 9 illustrates a two dimensional lattice 900 comprising a firstportion (region/sub-lattice) 910 configured to have a shape of aparabolic lens and a second portion (region/sub-lattice) 920 configuredto have a shape of a space surrounding the parabolic lens. In otherembodiments, other lens types, such as including concave and convexlenses, can be emulated employing a sub-lattice of a correspondingshape.

Suppose we have a wave front propagating from left to right at angle{circumflex over (θ)}^(I) 940, incident on the left boundary 912 of thelens. The wave front's angle from the normal is given byθ^(I)={circumflex over (θ)}¹+tan⁻¹(αy)

We use Snell's law to compute the angle of the transmitted wave:${\sin\quad\theta^{T}} = {{\frac{\tau_{1}}{\tau_{2}}\sin\quad\theta^{I}} = {\frac{\tau_{1}}{\tau_{2}}{{\sin\left( {{\hat{\theta}}^{I} + {\tan^{- 1}\left( {\alpha\quad y} \right)}} \right)}.}}}$

Of course, θ^(T) 944 is the angle the transmitted wave front makes withthe normal to the curved part of the lens. Subtracting off thecontribution of this normal, we obtain $\begin{matrix}{{\hat{\theta}}^{T} = {\theta^{T} - {\tan^{- 1}\left( {\alpha\quad y} \right)}}} \\{= {{\sin^{- 1}\left\lbrack {\frac{\tau_{1}}{\tau_{2}}\quad{\sin\left( {{\hat{\theta}}^{I} + {\tan^{- 1}\left( {\alpha\quad y} \right)}} \right)}} \right\rbrack} - {\tan^{- 1}\left( {\alpha\quad y} \right)}}}\end{matrix}$

The angle {circumflex over (θ)}^(T) 946 is the angle of incidence forthe refraction problem at the right boundary 914 of the lens. This is asimple consequence of the fact that the right boundary 914 of the lensis vertical. We apply Snell's law again to determine the angle of theoutgoing wave that is transmitted through the right boundary 914 of thelens: $\begin{matrix}{{\sin\quad\theta^{L}} = {\sin\quad{\hat{\theta}}^{T}\frac{\tau_{2}}{\tau_{1}}}} \\{= {\sin\left\{ {{\sin^{- 1}\left\lbrack {\frac{\tau_{1}}{\tau_{2}}{\sin\left( {{\hat{\theta}}^{I} + {\tan^{- 1}\left( {\alpha\quad y} \right)}} \right)}} \right\rbrack} - {\tan^{- 1}\left( {\alpha\quad y} \right)}} \right\}\frac{\tau_{2}}{\tau_{1}}}}\end{matrix}$

Simple geometry shows that ${\frac{y}{f} = {\tan\quad\theta^{L}}},$where f is the focal distance. This implies that $\begin{matrix}{f = \frac{y}{\tan\quad\theta^{L}}} \\{= {{y\left\lbrack {\tan\quad{\sin^{- 1}\left( {\sin\left\{ {{\sin^{- 1}\left\lbrack {\frac{\quad\tau_{\quad 1}}{\quad\tau_{\quad 2}}{\sin\left( \quad\begin{matrix}{\theta^{\quad I} +} \\{\tan^{- 1}\left( {\alpha\quad y} \right)}\end{matrix}\quad \right)}} \right\rbrack} - {\tan^{- 1}\left( {\alpha\quad y} \right)}} \right\}\frac{\tau_{2}}{\tau_{1}}} \right)}} \right\rbrack}^{- 1}.}}\end{matrix}$

The following describes paraxial approximation. Note that we can easilyrecover the paraxial approximation from the above formula for f. Firstset {circumflex over (θ)}^(I)=0. Next assume α<<1, which in essenceconverts all of the nonlinear functions tan and sin to the identity,i.e., if q=O(α), thentan q≈q, sin q≈q,and likewise for the inverse functions. One obtains for the denominatorof the approximation${\tan\quad{\sin^{- 1}\left( {\sin\left\{ {{\sin^{- 1}\left\lbrack {\frac{\quad\tau_{\quad 1}}{\quad\tau_{\quad 2}}{\sin\left( \quad\begin{matrix}{{\hat{\theta}}^{\quad I} +} \\{\tan^{- 1}\left( {\alpha\quad y} \right)}\end{matrix}\quad \right)}} \right\rbrack} - {\tan^{- 1}\left( {\alpha\quad y} \right)}} \right\}\frac{\tau_{2}}{\tau_{1}}} \right)}} \approx {\left\{ {{\frac{\tau_{1}}{\tau_{2}}\alpha\quad y} - {\alpha\quad y}} \right\}\frac{\tau_{2}}{\tau_{1}}} \approx {\left( {1 - \frac{\tau_{2}}{\tau_{1}}} \right)\alpha\quad{y.}}$

Therefore f can be approximated by${f \approx \frac{y}{\left( {1 - \frac{\tau_{2}}{\tau_{1}}} \right)\alpha\quad y}} = {\frac{1}{\alpha\left( {1 - \frac{\tau_{2}}{\tau_{1}}} \right)}.}$

FIG. 10 illustrates a two dimensional lattice 1000 comprising a firstportion (region/sub-lattice) 1010 configured to have a first signalpropagation delay characteristic, a vertical interface (boundary) 1030,and a second portion (region/sub-lattice) 1020 configured to have asecond signal propagation delay characteristic.

This illustrates refraction in a 2-D LC lattice, showing the validity ofSnell's law. The black lines 1060, 1062 show incident and refracted wavevectors predicted by Snell's law. The colors (shades of gray) correspondto level sets of the voltage V_(ij)(t), at a particular instant of timet>0. At t=0, voltage forcing is switched on along the left boundary 1040and resulting waves propagate at an angle, towards the interface 1030 ati=30, where they are refracted, causing a change in the direction andwavelength of the wave. For i<30, the lattice signal propagation delayequals τ₁, while for i>30, the lattice signal propagation delay equalsτ₂.

The following describes the numerics. We simulate the lattice by solvingKirchoff's laws (2) for an 80×80 lattice with boundary conditions givenin the discussion of dispersive correction. For these simulations(emulations), we have one (or more) vertical interface(s) 1030separating two (or more) portions (sections) 1010, 1020 of the lattice1000. In certain sections of the lattice 1000, we have L₁=1 nH and C₁=1pF, while in other sections, we haveL ₂ =L ₁√{square root over (10)}, C ₂ =C ₁√{square root over (10)}.

For the purposes of the following discussion, we define the followinglattice signal propagation delay constants:τ₁ =√{square root over (L₁C₁)}=10^(−10.5) sec⁻¹τ₂ =√{square root over (L₂C₂)}=10⁻¹¹ sec⁻¹,

In all simulations that follow, the frequency in time of the boundaryforcing is w=1 G rad/sec.

The following is discussion of Snell's Law. For the first simulation(emulation), we take the lattice to have a single interface 1030 ati=30. For i<30, the signal propagation delay is τ₁, while for i>30, thesignal propagation delay is τ₂. Hence the effective index of (optical)refraction is τ₁/τ₂=√{square root over (10)}. The incident angle, forthe wave propagating from the left boundary 1040 towards the interface,is approximatelyθ^(I)≈0.149 rad,and based on Snell's law we predict a transmitted angleθ^(T)≈0.488 rad,which is exactly what we see in the numerical simulation resultsdisplayed in FIG. 11. The black lines 1060, 1062 are drawn to match theincident and refracted wave vectors, as predicted by Snell's law. Notethat the black line 1062 in the i>30 region is orthogonal to thenumerically generated wave fronts 1064. This implies that, in the directnumerical simulation, the angle that the refracted waves make with thenormal to the interface is given quite accurately by Snell's law.

FIG. 11 illustrates a two dimensional lattice 1100 comprising and afirst portion (region/sub-lattice) 1110 configured to have a firstsignal propagation delay characteristic, a first vertical interface(boundary) 1160, and a second portion (region/sub-lattice) 1120configured to have a second signal propagation delay characteristic, asecond vertical (interface) boundary 1162, and a third portion(region/sub-lattice) 1130 configured to have the first signalpropagation delay characteristic.

The following describes plane waves refracted by a slab.

This illustrates a plane slab showing pure transmission and wavelengthexpansion in the 20≦i≦70 section. The colors (shades of gray) correspondto level sets of the voltage V_(ij)(t), at a particular instant of timet>0. At t=0, voltage forcing is switched on along the left boundary 1140and the resulting waves propagate to the right, towards the interface1160 at i=20, where they are refracted, causing a change in wavelength.At i=70, the wave encounters a second interface 1162 and is refractedagain, causing the wavelength to return to its original value. Thelattice signal propagation delay equals τ₁ except inside the 20≦i≦70section, where the delay equals τ₂.

Next we examine a portion (section) 1120 of lattice 1100 with signalpropagation delay τ₂ sandwiched between two portions (sections) 1110,1130 with signal propagation delay τ₁. Here we take the incident angleto be zero, and note the change in wavelength of the wave as itpropagates in the τ₂ portion (section) (See FIG. 12). Here the signalpropagation delay is τ₁ for i<20 and i>70, and the signal propagationdelay τ₂ for 20≦i≦70. Waves propagate from the left boundary 1140towards the first interface 1160 at (i=20), undergo refraction and achange in wavelength, and continue propagating to the right until theyare refracted again at the second interface 1162 at (i=70), at whichpoint their wavelength increases back to its original value. Impedanceis matched at both interfaces 1160, 1162 so there is no reflection,i.e., there is no wave propagating from right to left from the interface1160, 1162 back towards the left boundary 1140.

FIG. 12 illustrates a two dimensional lattice 1200 that emulates totalinternal reflection and comprises and a first portion(region/sub-lattice) 1210 configured to have a first signal propagationdelay characteristic, a vertical interface (boundary) 1230, and a secondportion (region/sub-lattice) 1220 configured to have a second signalpropagation delay characteristic, and input nodes located within a lowerleft corner 1242 of the lattice 1200.

This illustrates total internal reflection. The colors (shades of gray)correspond to level sets of the voltage V_(ij)(t), at a particularinstant of time t>0. At t=0, voltage forcing is switched on along theleft boundary 1240 at nodes 1≦i≦20; resulting waves propagate at a sharpangle towards the interface 1230 at i=20, where they undergo totalinternal reflection and are sent back towards the boundary at i=0. Thewaves bounce repeatedly off the effective boundaries 1240, 1230 at i=0and i=20 as they propagate upwards towards j=100. The lattice delayequals τ₁ for i<20 for i<20 and equals τ₂ for i<20. In this simulation(emulation), unlike the previous two, we used a 100×100 lattice.

Here the wave is launched from the left boundary 1240 and, morespecifically, from the lower-left corner 1242 of the lattice 1200consisting of the first 20 nodes 1≦i≦20 on the left boundary 1240. Thenodes on the left boundary 1240 with j>20 are left open, meaning thatwaves will reflect perfectly off those nodes. The wave propagates at anangle of roughly 56 degrees and intersects (hits) the interface 1230,located at i=20. Because the effective index of refraction is √{squareroot over (10)}, the critical angle for total internal reflection isapproximately 18.5 degrees, so our incident angle is well beyond that.FIG. 12 shows the wave bouncing off the i=20 boundary at approximatelyj=30, then propagating back towards the left boundary 1240 at (i=0), andthen continuing to bounce off different boundaries as it propagatestowards j=100.

FIG. 13 illustrates graphs of voltage as a function of location within atwo dimensional lattice 110 having uniform inductance and capacitancecharacteristics.

This illustrates the simulation (emulation) of a uniform 2-D LC latticeshowing diffractive effects. The input signal 1310 is our choice offorcing function at the left boundary of the lattice 110, and the outputsignal 1320 is the signal at the right boundary of the lattice 110. Theforcing is sinusoidal and given by equation (25), with w=60 GHz. Latticeinductances are L=30 pH and lattice capacitances are C=20 fF.

The following describes optical diffraction. The lattices that weresimulated (emulated) were all finite in extent. Let us turn ourattention to waves with wavelength sufficiently large so that only a fewwavelengths fit in the finite lattice 110. In this situation, we claimthat the lattice 110 acts as a diffraction slit. To give a definiteexample, consider a 100×80 lattice where we drive the left boundary asfollows:V _(i,j)(t)=0.5 sin(βj)sin(2πωt).  (25)

Take the lattice parameters to be L=30 pH and C=20 fF, and take thedriving frequency to be w=60 GHz. Then the dispersion relation for thelattice tells us that waves propagating in the X direction 120 only havethe following ratio of wavelength to lattice spacing:$\frac{\lambda}{d} = {\frac{\pi}{\sin^{- 1}\left( {\omega{\sqrt{LC}/2}} \right)} \approx {21.4.}}$

In other words, there are only about 4 or 5 wavelengths of the wave thatcan fit inside the 100×80 lattice. Moreover, if the forcing is of theform of equation (25), then the wave will not propagate in the Xdirection 120 only. Parts of the wave will reflect off the top andbottom boundaries of the lattice in ostensibly complicated ways, and wewould not expect the outgoing signal 1320, V_(100,j)(t), to lookanything like the original input signal 1310, V_(0,j)(t).

The problem of squeezing a long wave through a narrow opening is reallyjust a thin-slit diffraction problem. We are about to consider theproblem of two uniform 2-D continuous media separated by a thinone-dimensional slit, where the slit is just a few wavelengths wide.Waves propagating from left to right through the slit are diffracted,and one can develop a Huygens-Fresnel type theory to predict theillumination far to the right of the aperture, due to a source to theleft of the aperture. Roughly speaking, the illumination will be aphase-shifted Fourier transform of the source.

Going back to the 100×80 lattice with the above choice of parameters andthe sinusoidal forcing of equation (25), FIG. 13 shows what we see froma numerical simulation of the 2-D LC lattice equation (2).

The input signal 1310 is a sinusoidal function of the verticalcoordinate j (Y direction 130), and the output signal 1320 is clearly adifferent sort of function altogether. It turns out that the output is aphase-shifted or “blurry” version of a 1-D Fourier transform of theinput signal 1310. Eventually we will show simulations of a lattice 110with the same parameters, except inside a lens-shaped region in thelattice interior. The lens will cancel out the phase shift and bring theFourier transform into focus.

FIG. 14 illustrates a portion 1400 of a two dimensional lattice thatsupports a discussion of Greens identity. Before discussing thesesimulations (emulations), let us take a moment to develop the elementarytheory of scalar diffraction for 2-D waves. Though derivations ofKirchhoff and Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integrals have appeared inthe literature before, we offer derivations here. This is in partbecause diffraction of 2-D waves has not attracted much attention in theliterature, and the reader may not be fully aware of the near and farfield Hankel function asymptotics necessary to proceed in this case.Also, we believe our derivations, which follow the models set before byBorn, Wolf, Goodman, and Stamnes (J. J. Stamnes, Waves in Focal Regions,Hilger, Bristol, UK, 1986) have their own advantages. We begin byproving a Green's identity that forms the cornerstone of the 2-D wavetheory of diffraction. Suppose we have a 2-D domain Ω, as in FIG. 14.

Assume that U is a scalar field that satisfies the Helmholtz equation(∇² +k ²)U=0

Given a point P₀ 1410 where P₀εΩ, we want to relate U(P₀) to the valuesof U on the boundary of Ω, which we label as ∂Ω. Use Green's Theorem(with U, G as solutions of the Helmholtz equation) which says${{\int{\int_{\Omega}{U{\nabla^{2}G}}}} - {G{\nabla^{2}U}\quad{\mathbb{d}s}}} = {{\int{\int_{\partial\Omega}{U\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}}} - {G\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}\quad{{\mathbb{d}l}.}}}$

Because ∇²G=−k²G, and ∇₂U=−k²U, the left-hand side of the above equationis zero, ∫∫_(Ω) U(−k ² G)−G(−k ² U)ds=0.

The boundary of Ω is the sum of two curves Γ and Γ_(ε). The outer curveΓ is smooth but otherwise arbitrary. The inner curve Γ_(ε) is a circleof radius ε with center P₀. Green's Theorem says${0 = {{\int_{\partial\Omega}{U\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}} - {G\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}\quad{\mathbb{d}l}}}},$and because∂Ω=Γ+Γ_(ε),this implies $\begin{matrix}{{{- {\int_{\Gamma_{4}}{U\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}}} - {G\quad\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}{\mathbb{d}l}}} = {{\int_{\Gamma}{U\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}} - {G\quad\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}{{\mathbb{d}l}.}}}} & (26)\end{matrix}$

We evaluate the left integral, using the fact that on the curve Γ_(ε),we have dl=εdθ. We set G(r) equal to the radially symmetric solutions ofthe 2D Helmholtz equation. These are solutions of the equation${{{\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial}{\partial r}\left( {r\frac{\partial G}{\partial r}} \right)} + {k^{2}G}} = 0},$which is in fact Bessel's equation, Solutions of Bessel's equation areHankel functions, i.e.,G(r)=H ₀(kr)=J ₀(kr)+iY ₀(kr),where J₀ is a Bessel function of the first kind and Y₀ is a Besselfunction of the second kind. Then $\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{{{- {\int_{\Gamma_{4}}{U\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}}} - {G\quad\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}\quad{\mathbb{d}l}}} = {{- 2}{{\pi\varepsilon}\begin{pmatrix}{{{- {kU}}\left( {P_{\quad 0} + \varepsilon} \right)\frac{\partial H_{0}}{\partial r}\left( {k\quad\varepsilon} \right)} -} \\{{H_{\quad 0}\left( {k\quad\varepsilon} \right)}\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}}\end{pmatrix}}}} \\{{\approx {{- 2}{\pi\varepsilon}\left( {{- {{kU}\left( P_{0} \right)}}\begin{matrix}{\left( {{- \frac{k\quad\varepsilon}{\quad 4}} + {i\frac{\quad 2}{\quad\pi}\frac{1}{\quad{k\quad\varepsilon}}}} \right) -} \\\left( {1 + {i\quad\frac{2}{\quad\pi}\log\left( \frac{k\quad\varepsilon}{\quad 2} \right)}} \right)\end{matrix}} \right)}},}\end{matrix} & (27)\end{matrix}$where we have made the approximations${H_{0}\left( {k\quad\varepsilon} \right)} \approx {1 + {i\quad\frac{2}{\pi}{\log\left( \frac{k\quad\varepsilon}{2} \right)}}}$${\frac{\partial}{\partial r}{H_{0}\left( {k\quad\varepsilon} \right)}} \approx {{- \frac{k\quad\varepsilon}{4}} + {i\frac{2}{\pi}{\frac{1}{k\quad\varepsilon}.}}}$

These approximations are valid for E>>1 and the right- and left-handsides of equation (27) have the same asymptotic behavior in the ε→0limit. However, the ε→0 limit of the right-hand side of equation (27) iseasily computable, leading to the result${\lim\limits_{\varepsilon\rightarrow 0}\left\lbrack {{- {\int_{\Gamma_{\varepsilon}}{U\quad\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}}} - {G\quad\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}{\mathbb{d}l}}} \right\rbrack} = {4{{{iU}\left( P_{0} \right)}.}}$

Using this result in (26), we write $\begin{matrix}{{U\left( P_{0} \right)} = {{\frac{1}{4i}{\int_{\Gamma}{U\quad\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}}} - {G\quad\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}\quad{{\mathbb{d}l}.}}}} & (28)\end{matrix}$

FIG. 15 illustrates a two dimensional lattice 1500 that emulatesdiffraction from a screen 1550 including an aperture 1560.

A. Kirchhoff

Consider diffraction in 2D from a screen with aperture Σ as in FIG. 15.

We now use the integral formula of equation (28) to compute U(P₀) withΓ=S¹÷S². We break the integral over Γ two pieces, i.e., $\begin{matrix}{{U\left( P_{0} \right)} = {{\frac{1}{4i}{\int_{S^{1}}{U\quad\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}}} - {G\quad\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}\quad{\mathbb{d}l}} + {\frac{1}{4i}{\int_{S^{2}}{U\quad\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}}} - {G\quad\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}\quad{{\mathbb{d}l}.}}}} & (29)\end{matrix}$

First let's do the integral over S² and show that it vanishes.$\begin{matrix}{{{\int_{S^{2}}{U\quad\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}} - {G\quad\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}\quad{\mathbb{d}l}}} = {{\int_{S^{2}}{{Uk}\sqrt{\frac{2}{\pi\quad{kR}}}{{\mathbb{i}exp}\left\lbrack {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {{kr} - {\pi/4}} \right)} \right\rbrack}}} -}} \\{\sqrt{\frac{2}{\pi\quad{kR}}}{\exp\left\lbrack {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {{kR} - {\pi/4}} \right)} \right\rbrack}\quad\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}{\mathbb{d}l}} \\{{= {\sqrt{\frac{2}{\pi\quad k}}{\int{\sqrt{R}\left( {{{\mathbb{i}}\quad{kU}} - \frac{\partial U}{\partial n}} \right){\exp\left\lbrack {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {{kR} - \frac{\pi}{4}} \right)} \right\rbrack}{\mathbb{d}\theta}}}}},}\end{matrix}$where we use the following approximations, valid for R>>1${G(R)} = {{H_{0}({kR})} \approx {\sqrt{\frac{2}{\pi\quad{kR}}}{\exp\left\lbrack {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {{kR} - {\pi/4}} \right)} \right\rbrack}}}$$\frac{\partial G}{\partial R} = {{k\frac{\partial}{\partial r}{H_{0}({kR})}} \approx {k\sqrt{\frac{2}{\pi\quad{kR}}}{{{\mathbb{i}exp}\left\lbrack {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {{kr} - {\pi/4}} \right)} \right\rbrack}.}}}$

Therefore, we have the following condition: if, for all θ,${{\lim\limits_{R\rightarrow\infty}\left\lbrack {\sqrt{R}\left( {{ikU} - \frac{\partial U}{\partial n}} \right)} \right\rbrack} = 0},$then the S² integral vanishes. This condition is the 2D analogue of theSommerfeld outgoing radiation condition. Assuming that the conditionholds, the only contribution to the integral comes from S¹, i.e., theformula of equation (29) reduces to${U\left( P_{0} \right)} = {{\frac{1}{4i}{\int_{S^{i}}{U\frac{\partial G}{\partial n}}}} - {G\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}{{\mathbb{d}l}.}}}$

If we now make the Kirchhoff assumptions, then both U and ∂U/∂n are zeroeverywhere on S¹ except inside Σ. Take P₁εΣ and define r₀₁ as the vectorfrom P₀ to P₁. Here and in what follows, we use r₀₁ to denote themagnitude of the vector r₀₁. Then${U\left( P_{0} \right)} = {{\frac{1}{4i}{\int_{\Sigma}{U\frac{\partial}{\partial n}{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}}}} - {{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}\frac{\partial U}{\partial n}{{\mathbb{d}l}.}}}$

FIG. 16 illustrates a two dimensional lattice 1600 that emulatesdiffraction of a point source proximate to a screen 1650 including anaperture 1660. The Kirchhoff assumptions continue: assume that, insideΣ, both U and ∂U/∂n are the same as if there is no screen. That is tosay, assume that U(P₁) is the field due to a radially symmetric pointsource located at P₂ where P₂ is a point to the left of the screen, asin FIG. 10. Then, if r₂₁ is the vector joining P₁ to P₂, we haveU(P ₁)=AH ₀(kr ₂₁).

Using this in the above integral yields $\begin{matrix}{{U\left( P_{0} \right)} = {{\frac{1}{4i}{\int_{\Sigma}{{{AH}_{0}\left( {kr}_{21} \right)}\frac{\partial}{\partial n}{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}}}} - {{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}\frac{\partial}{\partial n}{{AH}_{0}\left( {kr}_{21} \right)}{\mathbb{d}l}}}} \\{= {{\frac{A}{4i}{\int_{\Sigma}{{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{21} \right)}\frac{\partial}{\partial n}{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}\cos\quad\left( {n,r_{01}} \right)}}} -}} \\{{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}\frac{\partial}{\partial n}{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{21} \right)}\cos\quad\left( {n,r_{21}} \right){\mathbb{d}l}} \\{= {{\frac{Ak}{4i}{\int_{\Sigma}{{- {H_{0}\left( {kr}_{21} \right)}}{H_{1}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}\cos\quad\left( {n,r_{01}} \right)}}} +}} \\{{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}{H_{1}\left( {kr}_{21} \right)}\cos\quad\left( {n,r_{21}} \right){{\mathbb{d}l}.}}\end{matrix}$

This is the Kirchhoff diffraction integral.

B. Rayleigh-Sommerfeld

There are inconsistencies in the Kirchhoff boundary conditions. If U and∂U/∂n are both zero everywhere on a part of S¹, and if U satisfies theHelmholtz equation in the domain contained by Γ=S¹+S², then one canprove that U must be zero everywhere inside the curve Γ. To remedy thiscondition, we choose different Green's functions so that we have toenforce only one of the two conditions U=0 or ∂U/∂n=0 on the part of S¹that does include the aperture Σ.

In what follows, G⁻ will be the Green's function that corresponds totaking ∂U/∂n=0 on S¹ not including Σ. We could also evaluate theintegral using G₊, the Green's function that corresponds to taking U=0on S¹ not including Σ. Using G⁻ or G₊ to deriving, respectively, thefirst and second Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integrals. Here wepursue the calculation for G⁻ only.

FIG. 17 illustrates a portion of a two dimensional lattice 1700 thatsupports a discussion of the Sommerfeld Green's function. The picturehere is that P₀ 1710 is a point to the right of the screen, P₁ 1720where P₁εΣ is a point inside the aperture, and P ₀ 1730 is a point tothe left of the screen 1750 that “mirrors” P₀ 1710. This means that r₀₁is the reflection of {circumflex over (r)}₀₁. The outward unit normal npoints to the left from Σ, as in FIG. 17.

Using G⁻ in (28) gives${U_{I}\left( P_{0} \right)}\frac{1}{4i}{\int_{\Sigma}{U\frac{\partial G_{-}}{\partial n}{{\mathbb{d}l}.}}}$Note that $\begin{matrix}{\frac{\partial G_{-}}{\partial n} = {{k\frac{\partial}{\partial r}{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}{\cos\left( {n,r_{01}} \right)}} - {k\frac{\partial}{\partial r}{H_{0}\left( {k{\overset{\_}{r}}_{01}} \right)}{\cos\left( {n,{\overset{\_}{r}}_{01}} \right)}}}} \\{= {{{- {{kH}_{1}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}}{\cos\left( {n,r_{01}} \right)}} + {{{kH}_{1}\left( {k{\overset{\_}{r}}_{01}} \right)}{{\cos\left( {n,{\overset{\_}{r}}_{01}} \right)}.}}}}\end{matrix}$On Σ, we know that cos(n, {circumflex over (r)}₀₁)=−cos(n, r₀₁) andτ₀₁={circumflex over (τ)}₀₁. Therefore,$\frac{\partial G_{-}}{\partial n} = {{- 2}k\quad{\cos\left( {n,r_{01}} \right)}{{H_{1}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}.}}$This implies $\begin{matrix}{{U_{I}\left( P_{0} \right)} = {{- \frac{k}{2i}}{\int_{\Sigma}{U\quad{\cos\left( {n,r_{01}} \right)}{H_{1}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}{{\mathbb{d}l}.}}}}} & (30)\end{matrix}$This is the 2-D version of the first Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffractionintegral.

We could of course specialize this integral to the case where P₁ isilluminated by a radially symmetric point source located at P₂, anarbitrary point to the left of the screen. This means thatU(P₁)=AH0(kr₂₁), which can be substituted into equation (30) to produce$\begin{matrix}{{{{U_{I}\left( P_{0} \right)} = {{{- \frac{kA}{2i}}{\int_{\Sigma}{{H_{0}\left( {kr}_{21} \right)}{H_{1}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}{\cos\left( {n,r_{01}} \right)}{{\mathbb{d}l}.{Let}}\quad\lambda}}} = {{2{\pi/{k.{For}}}\quad r_{01}} ⪢ \lambda}}},\quad{r_{21} ⪢ \lambda},\quad{{we}\quad{obtain}}}{U_{I}\left( P_{0} \right)} = {\frac{- {kA}}{2i}{\int_{\Sigma}{\left( {\sqrt{\frac{2}{\pi\quad{kr}_{21}}}{\exp\left\lbrack {{{\mathbb{i}}\quad{kr}_{21}} - {{\mathbb{i}\pi}/4}} \right\rbrack}} \right) \times {\quad{{\left\lbrack {\sqrt{\frac{2}{\pi\quad{kr}_{01}}}{{\exp\left\lbrack {{{\mathbb{i}}\quad{kr}_{01}} - {{\mathbb{i}\pi}/4}} \right\rbrack} \cdot \left( {- {\mathbb{i}}} \right)}} \right\rbrack\quad{\cos\left( {n,r_{01}} \right)}{\mathbb{d}l}},}}}}}} & (31)\end{matrix}$where the term in parentheses is the large r approximation of H₀(kr₂₁)and the term in square brackets is the large r approximation ofH₁(kr₀₁). Using these approximations, we have${U_{I}\left( P_{0} \right)} = {\frac{A}{\pi}{\int_{\Sigma}{\frac{1}{\sqrt{r_{21}r_{01}}}{\exp\left\lbrack {{\mathbb{i}}\quad{k\left( {r_{01} + r_{21}} \right)}} \right\rbrack}\left( {- {\mathbb{i}}} \right){\cos\left( {n,r_{01}} \right)}{{\mathbb{d}l}.}}}}$C. Huygens-Fresnel

Our goal here is to determine the illumination onto a plane screenlocated several wavelengths away from the aperture. For diffractionproblems in two spatial dimensions, we do not believe this calculationhas appeared previously in the literature. The picture is given in FIG.18. FIG. 18 illustrates a portion of a two dimensional lattice 1800 thatemulates of illumination on a line 1870 several wavelengths away from abarrier 1850 including a thin slit diffraction aperture 1860. We startwith the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral of equation (30),which we repeat here:${U_{I}\left( P_{0} \right)} = {\frac{- k}{2i}{\int_{\Sigma}{U\quad\cos\quad\left( {n,r_{01}} \right){H_{1}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}{{\mathbb{d}l}.}}}}$Inside the aperture Σ, we have cos θ=x/r₀₁, which gives${U_{I}(y)} = {{- \frac{kx}{2i}}{\int_{\Sigma}{{U(\xi)}\frac{H_{1}\left( {kr}_{01} \right)}{\tau_{01}}{{\mathbb{d}\xi}.}}}}$We use r₀₁ ²=x²+(y−ξ)² and approximate$\tau_{01} = {{{x\sqrt{1 + \left( \frac{y - \xi}{x} \right)^{2}}} \approx \left( {1 + {\frac{1}{2}\left( \frac{y - \xi}{x} \right)^{2}}} \right)} = {x + {\frac{1}{2}{\frac{\left( {y - \xi} \right)^{2}}{x}.}}}}$The same approximation strategy gives${\frac{1}{\tau_{01}} \approx {\frac{1}{x}\frac{1}{1 + {\left( {y - \xi} \right)^{2}/\left( {2x^{2}} \right)}}} \approx {\frac{1}{x}\left( {1 - {\frac{1}{2}\frac{\left( {y - \xi} \right)^{2}}{x^{2}}}} \right)}} = {\frac{1}{x} - {\frac{1}{2}{\frac{\left( {y - \xi} \right)^{2}}{x^{3}}.}}}$The difference between the approximations of r₀₁ and r₀₁ ⁻¹ is that theO(y−ξ)² term appears in r₀₂ ⁻¹ with an extra factor of x⁻². Since x isassumed large compared with the wavelength, we keep the O(y−ξ)² termonly when rol appears in the numerator, and drop it whenever r₀₁ appearsin the denominator. This gives${U_{I}(y)} = {\frac{- k}{2i}{\int_{\Sigma}{{U(\xi)}{H_{1}\left\lbrack {{kx}\left( {1 + \left( \frac{y - \xi}{x} \right)^{2}} \right)} \right\rbrack}{{\mathbb{d}\xi}.}}}}$Now we use the far-field asymptotics of the Hankel function toapproximate $\begin{matrix}{{H_{1}\left\lbrack {{kx}\left( {1 + \left( \frac{y - \xi}{x} \right)^{2}} \right)} \right\rbrack} \approx {\sqrt{\frac{2}{\pi\quad{kx}\quad\left( {1 + \left( \frac{y - \xi}{x} \right)^{2}} \right)}}{\exp\left\lbrack {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {{kx} + {\frac{k}{x}\left( {y - \xi} \right)^{2}} - {\pi/4}} \right)} \right\rbrack}}} \\{\approx {\sqrt{\quad\frac{2}{\quad\pi}}\frac{{\mathbb{e}}^{{\mathbb{i}}\quad{kx}}}{\sqrt{xk}}{{\exp\left\lbrack {{\frac{{\mathbb{i}}\quad k}{x}\left( {y - \xi} \right)^{2}} - {{\mathbb{i}\pi}/4}} \right\rbrack}.}}}\end{matrix}$Inserting this approximation into the integral we have $\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{{U_{I}(y)} \approx {{- \frac{k}{2{\mathbb{i}}}}\sqrt{\frac{2}{\quad\pi}}\frac{{\mathbb{e}}^{{\mathbb{i}}\quad{kx}}{\mathbb{e}}^{{- {\mathbb{i}}}\quad{\pi/4}}}{\sqrt{kx}}{\int_{\Sigma}{{U(\xi)}{\exp\left\lbrack {\frac{{\mathbb{i}}\quad k}{x}\left( {y - \xi} \right)^{2}} \right\rbrack}{\mathbb{d}\xi}}}}} \\{= {{- \frac{{\mathbb{e}}^{{\mathbb{i}}\quad{\pi/4}}\sqrt{2}}{2{\mathbb{i}}\sqrt{\pi}}}\sqrt{k}\frac{{\mathbb{e}}^{{\mathbb{i}}\quad{kx}}}{\sqrt{x}}{\int_{\Sigma}{{U(\xi)}{\exp\left\lbrack {\frac{{\mathbb{i}}\quad k}{x}\left( {y^{2} - {2y\quad\xi} + \xi^{2}} \right)} \right\rbrack}{\mathbb{d}\xi}}}}} \\{{= {C\sqrt{k}\frac{{\mathbb{e}}^{{\mathbb{i}}\quad{kx}}}{\sqrt{x}}{\mathbb{e}}^{\frac{{\mathbb{i}}\quad k}{x}y^{2}}{\int_{- \infty}^{+ \infty}{\left\{ {{U(\xi)}{\mathbb{e}}^{\frac{{\mathbb{i}}\quad k}{x}\xi^{2}}} \right\}{\mathbb{e}}^{{- {(\frac{2{\mathbb{i}}\quad k}{x})}}y\quad\xi}{\mathbb{d}\xi}}}}},}\end{matrix} & (32)\end{matrix}$where U(ξ)=0 when ξ∉Σ, and where the constand C is given by$C = {- {\frac{{\mathbb{e}}^{{\mathbb{i}}\quad{\pi/4}}\sqrt{2}}{2i\sqrt{\pi}}.}}$Note that this last integral of equation (32) is the Fourier integralwith phase shift. If we can design a lens that cancels out the phaseshift ${\mathbb{e}}^{\frac{{\mathbb{i}}\quad k}{x}\xi^{2}},$then we have designed a 2-D LC lattice that takes the spatial Fouriertransform of an input signal.

FIG. 19 illustrates a two dimensional lattice 1900 comprising a firstportion (region/sub-lattice) 1930 configured to have a shape of a lensand a second portion (region/sub-lattice) 1940 configured to have ashape of a space surrounding the lens.

It is feasible to make this lattice on a semiconductor substrate. Herewe assume a Silicon substrate that is more popular in today's silicontechnology. We use pieces of metal as our inductor and metal-to-metalcapacitance as the capacitor.

From the lattice dispersion relation of equation (4), we know that inorder to maximize the lattice cutoff frequency, we need to minimize thevalues of inductors and capacitors in each section. However, we cannotarbitrarily shrink the capacitances of each section, because at somepoint, parasitic capacitance becomes comparable with our lumpedcapacitance. In today's typical silicon processes, we can haveinductances as low as 30 pH and capacitances as small as 5 fF before theparasitic factors become an issue. The quality factor for these elementsis around 20, giving us a lattice cut-off frequency of around 300 GHz.

One important issue is ohmic loss of the silicon substrate. To addressthis problem, we need to use a ground plane beneath our inductors toshield the silicon substrate. By adding this layer, we could achievehigher quality factors in our inductors. To find the exact value ofinductance and capacitance as well as loss in each section, we use anE/M simulator such as Ansoft HFSS (available from the AnsoftCorporation, having a place of business at 225 West Station SquareDrive, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219).

Another issue that has an effect on the performance of the structure ismagnetic coupling of the inductors. Adjacent inductors induce current ineach other; to model this accurately requires additional terms in ourcircuit model of equations (2a-2c). Fortunately, with typical values ofinductors and capacitors, this mutual inductance is not that large: acareful E/M simulation shows that the coupling coefficient of adjacentinductors is less than 0.1. In our numerical analysis, we take thiseffect into account, but because of complexity we neglected this effectin our mathematical analysis.

Using the exact circuit models, we have simulated this structure and arein the process of fabricating the Fourier transform circuit in a SiGeBiCMOS process.

FIG. 19 shows the architecture of the circuit, with a lens-shapedportion (section/region) 1930 in the interior designed to cancel out thephase shift in the Huygens-Fresnel integral of equation (32).

The following describes subject matter related to a Fourier transform.FIG. 20 illustrates the results of an emulation employing a twodimensional lattice 110 to effect a spatial one dimensional Fouriertransformation of an input signal 2010, 2030. This illustrates theresults for two different numerical simulations of the 2-D LC latticeshowing how diffraction and lensing effects combine to effectively takethe spatial 1-D Fourier transform of the input signal 2010, 2030. Theplots on the left (input signals) 2010, 2030 correspond to two differentchoices of p_(j) in the expression of equation (33), with w=60 GHz.Lattice parameters are L=30 pH and C 20 fF, except in a lens-shapedregion in the center of the lattice where L is unchanged but C 60 fF.For each input signal 2010, 2030 such a lattice was simulated, and theplots on the right 2020, 2040 show V_(100,j)(t) as a function ofvertical section number j, for a particular instant of time t>0.

Direct numerical simulations show quite clearly the Fourier transformcapabilities of the 2-D LC lattice. By this we mean that if the forcingof the lattice's left boundary is given byV _(1j)(t)=p _(j) sin(2πωt),  (33)

then the signal at the right boundary will consist of an approximate,discrete Fourier transform of the spatial part p of the input signal. Inwhat follows, all reported numerical results arise from solvingKirchoff's laws of equations (2a-2c) for 80×100 lattices, subject to theboundary conditions described for dispersive correction.

FIG. 20 shows the Fourier transform of two sinusoid input signals 2010,2030 with two different spatial wavelengths.

The lattice parameters are nearly the same as before for FIG. 13 namely,outside the lens-shaped region 1930 shown in FIG. 19, we take L=30 pH,C=20 fF, and w=60 GHz. Inside the lens-shaped region 1930, we leave Lunchanged but take C=60 fF. The lattice has 80 nodes in the verticaldirection and 100 nodes in the horizontal direction. We force the leftboundary with a sinusoidal forcing function of the form of equation(25), and examine the output at the right boundary.

To ensure that the simulations are realistic, we add two effects notpresent in our mathematical analysis above. Namely, we add a mutualinductance term that takes into account coupling of adjacent inductors.As mentioned above, the coupling coefficient for this term is very smallcompared with unity (0.1), and the effect is not large. Furthermore, weassume each section as a resistance of 0.1Ω, and that all inductors andcapacitors vary randomly by about 5% from the values reported above.

The output 2020, 2040 of the circuit shows clearly two peaks, asexpected. Furthermore, the sinusoid with smaller wavelength (andtherefore higher wave number) yields two peaks that are more widelyseparated than those generated by the sinusoid with larger wavelength(and therefore smaller wave number). Because the aperture of the lens iscomparable with the wavelength of the input signal, diffractive effectsare quite important. The output 2020, 2040 is not simply a focusedversion of the input 2010, 2030, but a focused and diffracted version ofthe input 2020, 2040. Comparing FIG. 13 and FIG. 20, it is now clearthat the lens brings into focus the blurry Fourier transform thatresults from diffraction alone.

Finally, FIG. 20 clearly shows the DC value of the input. The firstwaveform has a lower average value compared to the second one and we canclearly see this difference in our output waveform 2020, 2040.

The following describes subject matter related to a step input signal.FIG. 21 illustrates the results of an emulation employing the lattice ofFIG. 20 using an input signal that is a step function. This illustratesa numerical simulation of the 2-D LC lattice (solid line) 2140 ascompared with our analytical prediction (dashed line) 2130 and the trueFourier transform (dotted line) 2120 of the input given by equation(34), with w=60 GHz. Lattice parameters are unchanged from FIG. 20. The(black) solid line curve 2140 shows the numerically computed values ofV_(100,j)(t) as a function of vertical section number j, for aparticular instant of time t>0.

Next we consider precisely the same lattice of FIG. 20, changing theboundary forcing to be equal to a step function, namely,V _(1j)(t)=0.15 sin(2πωt).  (34)The output signal is shown in FIG. 21.

The Fourier transform of the step input is a sin c function 2110, shownby the dotted line (green) curve 2120. Our mathematical analysispredicts that the output signal should be given by the dashed line(blue) curve 2130, while the numerical simulation itself yielded thesolid line (black) curve 2140.

The three curves 2120-2140 are qualitatively the same except in thetails, where there is some discernible disagreement. In the tails, onefinds that our analysis (estimation) is closer to the numericalsimulation (output of the lens) than the true Fourier transform. Theerror in the tails is due to two factors: (1) due to boundary effects,the finite lattice is not exactly the same as a thin slit diffractionproblem, though it features qualitatively identical physics, and (2) thelens-shaped region in 1930 the middle of the 2-D LC lattice is not quitea “thin lens,” meaning that the paraxial approximation is not quitevalid. Some of the phase shift from the original Huygens-Fresneldiffraction integral is not quite cancelled out in the tails.

The following describes subject matter related to a sin c input signal.FIG. 22 illustrates a graph of a sinc input signal 2210 with respect toits voltage at an input location within a two dimensional lattice. Theinput signal 2210 is shown in FIG. 22, and the output signal 2310 isshown in FIG. 23. The sin c input signal 2210 is for the 2-D LC lattice,corresponding to equation (35) with w=60 GHz. The input V_(i,j)(t) isplotted versus vertical section number j at a fixed instant of time t.

Finally we consider the same lattice again but with input equal to asinc function:V _(1j)(t)=0.3 sin c(β_(j))sin(2πωt).  (35)The output is roughly symmetric, and roughly constant between sectionnumbers (elements) 28 and 52. The true discrete Fourier transform,limited to a particular band of wave numbers, would be perfectlysymmetric and have much steeper rise and fall sections than the curveshown in FIG. 23. However, given that we included just over two fullcycles of the sine function 2210 as input, the output 2310 is quitereasonable.

FIG. 23 illustrates a graph of voltage of an output signal 2310resulting from the transformation of the input signal of FIG. 22. Thisillustrates simulated output 2310 V_(100,j)(t) at a fixed instant oftime t>0, plotted versus vertical section number j. The input thatgenerated this output is given by equation (35) and FIG. 22. Latticeparameters are unchanged from FIG. 20.

As described, numerical simulations indicate that 2-D LC lattices can beused to refract and diffract incoming waves of voltage. For waves withwavelength sufficiently large that only a few wavelengths are able tofit into a finite lattice, the lattice acts as a thin-slit diffractionaperture. By combining the lensing (refractive) and diffractive effects,we have demonstrated how a 2-D LC lattice can be used as a Fouriertransform device.

These numerical findings were matched by the mathematical analysis ofthe refraction and diffraction problems for 2-D waves. In the case ofdiffraction, it was found that a thin-slit aperture yields aphase-shifted Fourier transform, by way of the Huygens-Fresnel integralof equation (32). Canceling out this phase shift using a lens isprecisely what the circuit shown in FIG. 19 is designed to do. Should wewish to do so, high-frequency lenses can be designed in 2-D LC mediaquite accurately using the dispersively corrected Snell's law that wederived.

Simulations (emulations) indicate that even in the presence of loss,mutual inductance, and capacitor/inductor variations, a 2-D LC latticestill manages to obtain discrete Fourier coefficients from the inputsignal. Furthermore, these Fourier coefficients match the true Fouriertransform quite well in a qualitative sense.

Such a Fourier transform device has some interesting properties. Firstoff, the throughput of the lattice could be extremely high. To see this,note that one does not need an input signal to propagate all the wayfrom the left boundary to the right boundary of the lattice beforeinjecting a new, different input signal. In other words, inputs could bestacked in time, and multiple Fourier transforms could be computedwithout waiting. Preliminary simulations indicate that the throughput ofthe lattice could be as fast as 10 Gbits/sec.

Second, though it may not be important for certain applications, latencyof the lattice is quite low: around 10 psec. The latency is computedsimply by multiplying the characteristic signal propagation delay of thelattice, τ, by the number of sections in the horizontal direction. Thisimplies, moreover, that the latency is independent of the carrierfrequency w.

The lattice erases the delay of digital gates, but not of samplingspeed. Sampling is still required to read the output signal and pick upthe Fourier coefficients. This and other implementation issues arecurrently being investigated and in future work, we hope to reportmeasurement and test data for a Fourier transform device based on a 2-DLC lattice, fabricated on chip.

FIG. 24 illustrates electrical components surrounding a node 2406 of atwo dimensional lattice like that of FIG. 1. The lattice node 2406 islocated in between inductors 2402 a and 2402 d that are located along anelectrical path parallel to the X axis 120 and is located in betweeninductors 2402 b and 2402 c that are located along an electrical pathparallel to the Y axis 130. A capacitor 2404 a is also electricallyconnected to the node 2406. The voltage at node 2410 is represented byVij.

For the rectangular case, Kirchoff's laws yield the semi-discretesystem: $\begin{matrix}{{I_{i,{j - {1/2}}} + I_{i - {{1/2}j}} - I_{i + {{1/2}j}} - I_{i,{j + {1/2}}}} = {c_{ij}\frac{{dV}_{ij}}{dt}}} & \left( {35a} \right) \\{{V_{ij} - V_{i,{j - 1}}} = {{- l_{i,{j - {1/2}}}}\frac{d}{dt}I_{i,{j - {1/2}}}}} & \left( {35b} \right) \\{{V_{ij} - V_{{i + 1},j}} = {{l_{i + {{1/2}j}}\frac{d}{dt}I_{i}} + {{1/2}j}}} & \left( {35c} \right)\end{matrix}$

Differentiating (1a) with respect to time, we substitute equations(35a-35b), yielding in an ordinary differential equation (ODE). Startingfrom this semi-discrete model, we develop the continuum model in thestandard way. Assuming the nodes are equispaced in the X 120 and Y 130directions, we could define parameter h to be the spacing between twoadjacent nodes. We Taylor expand the voltage to second order in h, wewill have:${{\nabla^{2}V} - {LCV}_{tt}} = {\frac{{\nabla\quad V} \cdot {\nabla\quad L}}{L} - {h^{2}\left\lbrack {{\frac{1}{12}\left( {V_{xxxx} + V_{yyyy}} \right)} - {\frac{1}{6}\frac{{L_{x}V_{xxx}} + {L_{y}V_{yyy}}}{L}} - {\frac{1}{4}\frac{{L_{x}^{2}V_{yy}} + {L_{y}^{2}V_{xx}}}{L^{2}}}} \right\rbrack}}$Here L and C are inductance and capacitance per unit length.Considering small sinusoidal perturbations about a constant voltage V₀,we could find the dispersion relation from this equation. Dispersion isdue to the discrete nature of the line and will be present in alldiscrete lattices. We solved this equation numerically using MATLAB foran arbitrary L and C functions.

To find an analytical solution, we will now consider an extremely largelattice, i.e., the case when number of sections in X 120 and Y 130direction (M and N, respectively) are both very large. In this case, wemay ignore the h² terms and use equation (36) as our governing equation:$\begin{matrix}{{{\nabla^{2}V} - {LCV}_{tt}} = \frac{{\nabla V} \cdot {\nabla L}}{L}} & (36)\end{matrix}$

The transmission lattice is at rest (no voltage, no current) at t=0, atwhich point a sinusoidal voltage source with amplitude A and frequency ais switched on at the left boundary. We assume that the transmissionlattice is long in the X 120 direction, and that it is terminated at its(physical) right boundary in such a way that the reflection coefficientsthere are very small. Hence we model the transmission lattice assemi-infinite in the x coordinate, but bounded in the y coordinate bythe lines y=−1 and y=+1. As we have shown in the publication titled“Extremely Wideband Signal Shaping using one and two DimensionalNon-uniform Nonlinear Transmission Lines,” Journal of Applied Physics,(2006), for the case of funnel (constant LC product) the solution ofthis initial-boundary-value problem could be written as:${V\left( {x,y,t} \right)} = {\frac{- {A_{\kappa_{2}}(y)}}{{{\kappa_{3}(y)}x} + {\kappa_{2}(y)}}{\sin\left\lbrack {\frac{\alpha}{v_{0}}\left( {x - {v_{0}t}} \right)} \right\rbrack}}$Where k₂ and k₃ should satisfy: L(x, y) = 4(κ₃(y)x + κ₂(y))⁻²$\kappa_{3} = \frac{\kappa_{2}}{\kappa_{2{yy}}\kappa_{3{yy}}}$

By proper choosing of k₂ and k₃ one could build any desired function forL and find the voltage anywhere in the lattice. For the case of idealfunnel, this solution confirms our simulation results. The followingdescribes subject matter related to power gain calculations.

FIG. 25 illustrates a particular embodiment of a chip architectureincluding a plurality of amplifiers 2512 and a signal combiner 2514.Assume that the voltage at node A 2516 is V_(in), then we could writeinput and output power as:$P_{in} = {n \cdot \frac{v_{in}^{2}}{2Z_{1}}}$$P_{out} = {n \cdot \frac{A_{v}^{2}v_{in}^{2}}{2Z_{2}} \cdot \eta_{{comb}.}}$$G = {\frac{P_{out}}{P_{in}} = {A_{v}^{2} \cdot \eta_{{comb}.} \cdot \frac{Z_{1}}{Z_{2}}}}$where Z₁ and Z₂ are input and output impedance of each amplifier, A, isits voltage gain, n is the number of amplifiers, η_(comb.) is thecombining efficiency, and G is the power gain for our amplifier, withA_(v)˜1.8, η_(comb.)˜0.7, and Z₁ 4Z₂ the power gain in 84 GHz should bearound 9 dB, which is close to our measured value of 8 dB. The followingdescribes subject matter related to a measurement setup.

FIG. 26 illustrates an arrangement of equipment for measurement setup ofthe chip of FIG. 25. The chip is mounted on a brass substrate which isconnected to ground. The input is provided by an HP 83650B signalgenerator 2610 and a Spacek frequency multiplier 2612 which couldgenerate power from 60 GHz to 90 GHz. To be able to control input power,a variable attenuation 2614 is used before the RF probes 2616 a-2616 b.We probe input and output of our amplifier and measure the output powerusing a power-meter 2020.

Because the chip has two supplies (−2.5V and 0.8V), we can't directlyconnect the chip substrate (which is at −2.5V) to the brass. On theother hand it is critical to have a good heat sink for our chip. Tosolve this problem we use a thin low-cost CVD diamond between our chipand brass. Diamond is a superior electrical insulator and is the bestisotropic thermal conductor with thermal conductivity of around 10W/cm/° K.

FIG. 27 illustrates the chip 2700 under the test. A comparison of thepresent power amplifier with previous work on mm-wave power amplifiers(mostly in silicon) is summarized in Table (1). TABLE 1 Comparison PoutPAE_(max) Gain Freq. Device (dBm) (%) (dB) Ref 85 GHz 0.12 μm SiGe 20.84 8 This work 77 GHz 0.12 μm SiGe 10 3.5 6.1 [8] 60 GHz 0.12 μm SiGe 164.3 10.8 [9] 90 GHz 0.12 μm GaAs 21 8 19 [10]  pHEMPT

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to the structure and methods disclosed herein and asillustrated in the drawings, it is not confined to the details set forthand this invention is intended to cover any modifications and changes asmay come within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

1. An electrical signal transformation device, comprising: a planar twodimensional lattice having a first plurality of electrical pathscomprising a first plurality of electrical components that are arrangedalong a first direction in a plane and a second plurality of electricalpaths comprising a second plurality of electrical components that arearranged along a second direction in said plane, each of said electricalcomponents having a first terminal and a second terminal; eachelectrical component of said first plurality of electrical componentshaving at least one electrical terminal connected to an electricalterminal of at least one electrical component of said second pluralityof electrical components; a third plurality of electrical componentshaving first and second terminals that are electrically connectedbetween at least some of said electrical terminals of said first andsecond pluralities of electrical components and a reference voltagesource; at least two input signal nodes and an output signal nodeselected from said terminals of said first plurality of electricalelements, said at least two input signal nodes configured to acceptinput signals and said at least one output signal node configured toprovide at least one output signal; said first plurality of electricalcomponents and said third plurality of electrical components selected toprovide at least one of a constant signal propagation velocity and aconstant signal propagation amplitude for signals propagating alongpaths of said first plurality of electrical paths; and said secondplurality of electrical components and said third plurality ofelectrical components selected to provide at least one of a signalpropagation velocity and a signal propagation amplitude that varies forsignals propagating along said second plurality of electrical paths;said electrical signal transformation device configured to provide atsaid at least one output signal node an output signal corresponding to atransformation of said plurality of input signals.
 2. The electricalsignal transformation device of claim 1, wherein said first plurality ofelectrical components are inductors having substantially the sameinductance, said second plurality of electrical components are inductorshaving inductances that vary, and said third plurality of electricalcomponents are capacitors having capacitances.
 3. The electrical signaltransformation device of claim 1, wherein said first, second and thirdpluralities of electrical components are configured for emulation of oneor more aspects of a physical phenomenon using at least one real timeanalog input signal.
 4. The electrical signal transformation device ofclaim 3, wherein said physical phenomenon is an optical refractionphenomenon.
 5. The electrical signal transformation device of claim 1,wherein said first, second and third pluralities of electricalcomponents are configured for emulation of one or more aspects of amathematical process using at least one real time analog input signal.6. The electrical signal transformation device of claim 5, wherein saidmathematical process is a mathematical transform.
 7. The electricalsignal transformation device of claim 6, wherein said mathematicaltransform is a discrete Fourier transform.
 8. The electrical signaltransformation device of claim 1, wherein said first, second and thirdpluralities of electrical components are configured for combining aplurality real time analog input signals.
 9. The electrical signaltransformation device of claim 1, wherein said planar two dimensionallattice comprises a plurality of planar two dimensional sub-lattices,each of said planar two dimensional sub-lattices comprising a distinctplanar two dimensional lattice having a respective first plurality ofelectrical components and third plurality of electrical componentsselected to provide at least one of a constant signal propagationvelocity and a constant signal propagation amplitude for signalspropagating along paths of said first plurality of electrical paths; anda respective second plurality of electrical components and thirdplurality of electrical components selected to provide at least one of asignal propagation velocity that varies for signals propagating alongpaths of said second plurality of electrical paths and a signalpropagation amplitude that varies for signals propagating along paths ofsaid second plurality of electrical paths.
 10. The electrical signaltransformation device of claim 9, wherein a first planar two dimensionalsub-lattice is configured to emulate a first optical material having afirst refractive index and a second planar two dimensional sub-latticeis configured to emulate a second optical material having a secondrefractive index.
 11. The electrical signal transformation device ofclaim 1, wherein said first plurality of electrical components arecapacitors having substantially the same capacitance, said secondplurality of electrical components are capacitors having capacitancesthat vary, and said third plurality of electrical components areinductors having inductances.
 12. A method of transforming a signal,comprising the steps of: providing an electrical signal transformationdevice, comprising: a two dimensional lattice having a first pluralityof electrical paths comprising a first plurality of electricalcomponents that are arranged along a first direction in a plane and asecond plurality of electrical paths comprising a second plurality ofelectrical components that are arranged along a second direction in saidplane; each of said electrical components having a first terminal and asecond terminal, each electrical component of said first plurality ofelectrical components having at least one electrical terminal connectedto an electrical terminal of at least one electrical component of saidsecond plurality of electrical components; a third plurality ofelectrical components having first and second terminals, said thirdplurality of electrical components electrically connected between atleast some of said electrical terminals of said first and secondpluralities of electrical components and a reference voltage source; atleast two input signal nodes and at least one output signal nodeselected from said terminals of said first plurality of electricalelements, said at least two input signal nodes configured to acceptinput signals and said at least one output signal node configured toprovide at least one output signal; said first plurality of electricalcomponents and said third plurality of electrical components selected toprovide at least one of a constant signal propagation velocity and aconstant signal propagation amplitude for signals propagating along saidfirst plurality of electrical paths; and said second plurality ofelectrical components and said third plurality of electrical componentsselected to provide at least one of a signal propagation velocity thatvaries and a signal propagation amplitude that varies for signalspropagating along said second plurality of electrical paths; providing aplurality of input signals to said at least two input signal nodes; andobserving at said at least one output signal node an output signalcorresponding to a transformation of said plurality of input signals.13. The method of transforming a signal of claim 12, wherein a secondplurality of input signals are provided to said at least two inputsignal nodes at a time after the step of providing a first plurality ofinput signals to said at least two input signal nodes, and before thestep of observing at least one output signal at said at least one outputsignal node, said at least one output signal corresponding to atransformation of said first plurality of input signals.
 14. The methodof transforming a signal of claim 12, wherein said first plurality ofinput signals are analog input signals.
 15. The method of transforming asignal of claim 12, wherein a time interval between the step ofproviding a first plurality of input signals to said at least two inputsignal nodes and the step of observing at least one output signal atsaid at least one output signal node, said at least one output signalcorresponding to a transformation of said first plurality of inputsignals is a propagation time of an analog signal through saidelectrical signal transformation device.
 16. The method of transforminga signal of claim 12, wherein said input signals comprise sinusoids. 17.The method of transforming a signal of claim 12, wherein said inputsignals comprise exponential components.
 18. The method of transforminga signal of claim 12, wherein said input signals comprise complexcomponents.
 19. The method of transforming a signal of claim 12, whereinsaid input signals comprise a plurality of substantially the same inputsignal.
 20. The method of transforming a signal of claim 12, whereinsaid input signals comprise at least two different input signals.